GS 1 – Society
Context:
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment launched a 15-day Entrepreneurship Development Programme under the SMILE(TG) scheme to empower transgender persons economically through self-employment and skill development. This initiative aligns with India’s commitment to inclusive growth and welfare of marginalized communities.
Highlights:
- Government Initiative:
- Focus on upliftment and welfare of marginalized groups, including transgender persons.
- Implemented under SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individual for Livelihood and Enterprise) Scheme, specifically the Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons.
- Objective:
- Economic empowerment of transgender persons.
- Promote self-reliance through self-employment and entrepreneurship.
- Programme Details:
- Duration: 15 days
- Venue: Garima Greh, Dabri, Delhi (operated by Mitr Trust)
- Implementing Agency: National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD)
- Participants: 25 transgender candidates (pilot)
- Nationwide Plan: 18 such programs to train 1,800 transgender persons
- Training Modules Include:
- Business opportunity identification
- Market survey and entrepreneurship support ecosystem
- Financial aid schemes for startups
- Entrepreneurial accounting & taxation
- Banking procedures and regulatory compliance
- Field visit to NSIC incubation centre
- Outcomes:
- Trainees prepare business plans and receive bank linkage for financial support
- 6-month handholding support for enterprise sustainability
- Reserve Bank of India included transgender community in priority sector lending, facilitating easier access to bank loans