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Self Employment Scheme For Rehabilitation Of Manual Scavengers 2026

The Ministry of Tourism's 'Entrepreneurship Programme' offers free skill development training in five trades for individuals who Read More... have completed Class 8 and are over 18 years old, along with a stipend and employment assistance. Read less

Details

Looking to start your own venture or enhance your skills in the hospitality sector? The Ministry of Tourism's 'Entrepreneurship Programme' might be just what you need. This initiative aims to empower individuals with practical skills and support their journey towards self-employment.

What Is This Scheme?

This programme, a special sub-scheme under the 'Capacity Building for Service Providers' initiative by the Ministry of Tourism, focuses on developing entrepreneurial skills in the tourism and hospitality field. It provides financial support to selected institutes to run specialized training courses.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

The programme is designed for Indian citizens who have successfully completed at least Class 8 and are 18 years of age or older. It offers training in five specific trades, making it accessible to a wide range of aspiring individuals.

Why This Scheme Is Important

This initiative plays a crucial role in boosting employment and self-reliance. By equipping participants with in-demand skills, it not only enhances their marketability but also encourages them to become job creators. The focus on hygiene, behaviour, and entrepreneurship directly contributes to improving the quality of service in the tourism sector.

Objective

The Ministry of Tourism's 'Entrepreneurship Programme' offers free skill development training in five trades for individuals who have completed Class 8 and are over 18 years old, along with a stipend and employment assistance.

Benefits

  1. Identified manual scavengers, one from each family, are provided one-time cash assistance of ₹ 40,000.
  2. The identified manual scavengers and their dependents are provided project-based upfront capital subsidy up to ₹ 5,00,000 and concessional loans for undertaking self-employment ventures.
  3. Sanitation workers and their dependants are provided assistance for the procurement of sanitation-related projects on the same scale as admissible to manual scavengers for general tasks.
  4. The group of the target beneficiaries is eligible for projects costing up to ₹ 50,00,000.
  5. Beneficiaries are also provided training for skill development for up to two years, during which a stipend of ₹ 3,000 per month is also provided.
  6. Manual Scavengers and their family members are also eligible for Health Insurance coverage of ₹ 5,00,000 under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY)
  7. Upskilling/RPL training is provided to sanitation workers.
  8. Workshops are organized with the officers, supervisors, and sanitation workers on “Hazardous Cleaning of Sewers and Septic Tanks”.

Credit Linked upfront Capital Subsidy -

Range of Project Cost (₹) (for Individuals):Upto ₹5,00,000

Rate of Subsidy:50% of project cost

Range of Project Cost (₹) (for Individuals):5,00,000 to 15,00,000

Rate of Subsidy:₹2.5 lakh + 25% of remaining project cost

Range of Project Cost (₹) (for Group Projects):Upto ₹10,00,000 lakh per beneficiary maximum project cost upto ₹50,00,000

Rate of Subsidy:Same as admissible to individuals subject to a maximum ₹3.75 lakh per beneficiary

The rate of interest chargeable from the beneficiaries will be as follows:-

Range of Projects:up to ₹1,00,000/-

Rate of Subsidy:5% per annum (4% per annum for women beneficiaries)

Range of Projects:above 1,00,000/-

Rate of Subsidy:6% per annum

The period of repayment of the loan, including the moratorium period will be five years for projects upto ₹5,00,000/- and 7 years for projects above ₹ 5,00,000/- with a moratorium period to start the repayment of the loan will be upto 6 months.

Sources and references

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Candidates must have passed Class 8th.
  2. Candidates must be above 18 years of age.
  3. A training batch will have a minimum of 10 trainees and a maximum of 30.
  4. Admissions are generally on a first-come, first-served basis, with implementing agencies maintaining application registers.

How To Apply

The training is conducted by specific institutes funded by the Ministry of Tourism. These include:

  • Government-Sponsored Tourism & Hospitality Institutes
  • Kerala Institute of Tourism & Travel Studies (KITTS)
  • India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC)

Interested candidates should contact these institutes or look for local advertisements announcing the commencement of training batches. The application process typically involves submitting the required documents and fulfilling the eligibility criteria.

Documents to be Submitted After Training

After completing the course, trainees need to submit:

  • Proof of their self-employment status or employment, such as documents related to Bank Loan / MUDRA Loan / e-wallet Receipts / Licenses / Registration.
  • A written feedback form on the course content and delivery, designed by NCHMCT.

Documents to be Submitted by Implementing Agencies

  • On the 10th and final day of training, a video clip or clear photograph of the class showing trainees in aprons and with toolkits must be sent to [email protected].
  • After each batch concludes, agencies must post a list of pass-outs with their contact details and employment/salary status on their website.

Documents Required

To apply for the Entrepreneurship Programme, you will typically need to provide:

  • Proof of Identity
  • Proof of Residence
  • Proof of Age
  • Marksheet of Class 8th or a higher educational qualification certificate
  • Aadhaar Card
  • Recent Passport-Sized Photograph
  • Bank Account Details (linked to Aadhaar)

FAQ’s

What trades are part of the 150-hour training program?

The programme offers training in five specific trades: Cook – Tandoor, Barman, Baker, Homestay (Multi-Skilled Caretaker), and Halwai – Indian Sweets. Each course is designed to be 150 hours long.

How are trainees supported in finding jobs or starting businesses after the course?

The implementing agency will help graduates by assisting them in getting loans (like MUDRA), licenses, and registrations to start their own businesses. They also look for job opportunities at major tourist spots and inform trainees about resources like LMIS and SDMS.

What is the total financial outlay for conducting this training per trainee?

The total cost per trainee for the programme amounts to ₹11,340. This covers training fees, course materials, certification, aprons, lunch, stipend, and administrative costs. Separately, funds are allocated for advertisements and ₹2,000 per trainee for boarding and lodging for those from out of station.

Which organizations are responsible for running these entrepreneurship training sessions?

The training is conducted by institutes like Government-Sponsored Tourism & Hospitality Institutes, Kerala Institute of Tourism & Travel Studies (KITTS), and India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC).

Can you explain the stipend payment process for eligible trainees?

Yes, trainees who attend at least 80% of the classes are eligible for a total stipend of ₹1,000. This amount is disbursed in two equal installments of ₹500 each. The first part is given after completing 75 hours of training, and the second part is provided after the trainee submits feedback on the course and their self-employment status.

What are the minimum requirements to be considered for this programme?

To be eligible, you need to have completed at least Class 8 and be 18 years of age or older. There's also a limit of 10 to 30 trainees per batch.

What kind of certificate do participants receive upon successful completion?

Participants who attend at least 80% of the classes and pass the final examination are awarded a certificate. This certificate is jointly signed by the Principal/Director/Institutional Head and the Programme Coordinator.

What kind of post-training documentation is required from the trainees?

After finishing the course, trainees must submit written feedback on the training and proof of their self-employment or employment, such as loan documents, licenses, or registration certificates.

What is the primary goal of the Ministry of Tourism's Entrepreneurship Programme?

The programme's main objective is to foster entrepreneurship within the tourism and hospitality sector by providing practical skills training, a stipend, and assistance for self-employment to eligible citizens.

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