What is Samarth Scheme by the Ministry of Textiles – A Detailed Overview

Technological advancement in the textile sector has made the industry boom and it contributes to a whopping 5% of the country’s GDP. However, running these advanced machines requires proper training and skills. The Ministry of Textiles, to upskill the workforce and create better employment opportunities, launched the SAMARTH scheme. 

This article gives you a detailed overview of the Samarth scheme, its objectives, features, implementation, benefits, eligibility, how to apply and the documents required. Keep reading!

SAMARTH Scheme: An Overview

The Ministry of Textile has come up with Samarth Scheme, also known as Scheme for Capability Building in the Textile Sector (SCBTS). It was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in 2017 so as to maintain a good supply of skilled labour in the labour-intensive textile sector. 

Samarth Scheme aims to provide skill development as well as placement training. Sectors involved in this scheme are garment, knitting, processing, and other unorganised sectors such as carpet, jute, handloom, silk and many more.

Objectives of the Samarth Scheme

The most important objectives of the Samarth Yojana are:

• This scheme provides skilling programmes compliant with National Skills Framework Qualification. This would supplement the textile industry’s effort to create jobs in organised textile and related sectors
• It would help enhance the skills and abilities of already existing employees involved in the textile industry
• This scheme would help in increasing productivity by upgrading their skillset
• It supports industrial workers by increasing their standards and competitiveness that match the global standard
• This scheme helps in sustainable livelihood by wage employment or self-employment for every section of society across India
• It aims to encourage skill upgradation in traditional sectors of sericulture, handicraft, handloom and jute
• This scheme aims to create more job opportunities in the textile and related sectors, excluding spinning and weaving

Also Read: Startup India Scheme Details Every Entrepreneur Should Know

Implementation Agencies and Process of Samarth Scheme

Here is the list of the implementation agencies that carry out the skilling programme of the Samarth Scheme:

1. Textile sector 
2. Organisations or institutions under the Ministry of Textiles or state government that have training infrastructure and placement tie-ups with textile sector
3. NGOs, reputed training institutions, trusts, societies, companies, organisations, start-ups and entrepreneurs who are active in the Textile industry. They must also have a placement contract with the textile sector

Implementation Process

Organisations can implement this scheme based on the following criteria: 

• Organisation’s qualification

• Previous experience in skill training in the textile industry
• Financial consistency 
• Training infrastructure, particularly in the aspirational districts, approved by NITI Ayog

The entire framework for implementation of the scheme, along with programme expenditure, is in accordance with the policy framework for skill development (NSQF, common norms, etc.). Accordingly, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has adopted the program. This scheme comprises entry-level courses and a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme. 

Implementation Strategy

Samarth Skill Development Schemes apply the following strategies:

• For evaluations, the Aadhaar system utilises biometric attendance with a minimum of 80% attendance requirement
• The whole evaluation process and training programme will be recorded on a CCTV camera 
• Trainers who have a Training of Trainers (ToT) certification by Resource Support Agency (RSA)/ Sector Skill Councils (SSC) provide the ToT training
• RSA evaluation organisations permit third-party evaluation and certification
• Random physical inspections of active training facilities take place
• Skilling programs in relation to placement and mandatory wage employment in traditional and organised sectors occur. Along with this, after placement, tracking is done for a year
• The curriculum is in alignment with NSQF (National Skills Qualifications Framework)
• A call centre known as a helpline or support department collects feedback
• The website of the Ministry of Textile has a strong Management Information System and provides real-time scheme information
• A mobile app is there for stakeholders to help implement and monitor the implementation
• For handling public complaints, the Ministry of Textiles has designated a Grievance Redressal Officer
• Funding is done according to regular norms, and branding is according to the guidelines of MSDE (Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship)
• 115 Aspirational areas and marginalised social groups are given more priority.
• Under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, trainees can access concessional credit for self-employment.
• An internal committee is present to address sexual harassment of women in the workplace. The committee focuses on reduction, restriction and compensation. This committee was created as per the Act of 2013.

Features of the Samarth Scheme

Here are the features of the Samarth Scheme:

1. This programme aims to benefit young people who are interested in starting work in textile sector
2. Samarth Scheme is operational in 18 states
3. This scheme has established a financial plan in order to carry out the programme in textile sector
4. The scheme is anticipated to fulfil all assigned duties with an estimated expenditure of Rs.1300 crore
5. It aims to rejuvenate the underperforming textile industries so that they can immediately obtain a competitive edge in the export market

Eligibility Criteria for Samarth Yojana

To be eligible for Samarth Yojana, one needs to be a citizen of India. Preference will be given to SC/ST category, differently abled, minorities, those Below Poverty Line, women and 115 aspirational districts that NITI Aayog approves.

Documents Required for Samarth Yojana

The following documents are required for Samarth Yojana:

• Ration card
• Proof of address 
• Aadhaar card
• Mobile number
• Passport size photo

Application Procedure for the Samarth Scheme Online

Samarth Scheme Benefits

Here are some of the Samarth scheme benefits:

• Young individuals and employees will get training to develop their textile-related skills and adapt to the latest technological advancements
• Central government has signed MoUs with 18 states. According to the agreement, 4 lakh individuals will get training in the textile business
• Under this program, women also get money. There will be a reservation of 20% of seats for them in free skill development programmes. They will get preference when it comes to selection under this scheme
• This programme will also train individuals in textile-related fields such as metal handicrafts, ready-to-wear, woven fabrics, home furnishing, etc.

States Under the Samarth Scheme

States that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the central government and are part of Samarth Scheme are:

1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Arunachal Pradesh
3. Assam
4. Jharkhand
5. Haryana
6. Jammu and Kashmir
7. Karnataka
8. Kerala
9. Madhya Pradesh
10. Manipur
11. Meghalaya
12. Mizoram
13. Odisha
14. Tamil Nadu
15. Telangana
16. Tripura
17. Uttarakhand
18. Uttar Pradesh

Other Government Initiatives to Promote Textile Industry

Some other government initiatives for promoting the textile industry other than the Samarth Scheme are:

• PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) scheme

The launching of this scheme was in October 2021. This will help India achieve the United Nations Sustainable Goal 9, which talks about building infrastructure and promoting sustainable industrialisation. 

• Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme

The government is implementing this scheme between 2016 to 2022. This is a credit-linked capital investment subsidy scheme for improving productivity, investment, employment, quality, and import and export substitution in the textile sector.

• National Technical Textile Mission

Starting in the year 2005, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave their approval for this scheme. This scheme will lift India as a global leader in technical textiles and increase their usage in the market.

• Power-Tex India

The Ministry of Textiles launched it for power loom sector development in April 2017. Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu earn benefits of this scheme, and it helps small power loom weavers.

• Silk Samagra

Launched in the year 2017 by Central Silk Board, this scheme aims to improve silk’s quality & productivity and empower the downtrodden, backward families by involving in various activities of sericulture in the country. The launching of Silk Samagra 2 took place in May 2022.

• Jute ICARE

The Launch date of this pilot project was in January 2015. It aims to improve fibre yield and quality in selective blocks in West Bengal and Assam, where jute cultivation is popular.

• Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks

This scheme, which got its approval in July 2005, works towards providing the textile industry with world-class infrastructure facilities to set up textile units. It also works towards attracting foreign investors to Indian textile sectors.

Also Read: PMJDY Scheme: Benefits, Eligibility And How To Link Aadhaar With PMJDY Account

Final Word

The Ministry of Textiles is playing an instrumental role in boosting the country’s GDP by helping in skills required to operate advanced machines through the Samarth scheme. Samarth Scheme is indeed a ticket to success for those young citizens who wish to work in the textile industry. This scheme promises job placement to 70% of the successful candidates.  

In case you are not eligible for this scheme but want to upgrade your skills or start your own textile business, you could opt for a cash loan in a 100% paperless manner. Just download the Navi App and apply now!

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