India is a diverse country with a large population that faces various challenges related to poverty, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and employment. The government of India has launched several policies and initiatives over the years to address these challenges and enable communities to achieve their full potential. In this article, we will discuss some of the key government policies and initiatives that have enabled communities in India.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY): Launched in August 2014, PMJDY is a financial inclusion scheme aimed at providing access to banking services to every household in India. The scheme focuses on providing basic banking services, such as savings and deposit accounts, credit, insurance, and pension, to the unbanked population, especially in rural areas. As of August 2021, over 44 crore bank accounts have been opened under the PMJDY scheme, with deposits totaling more than Rs 1.44 lakh crore. The scheme has enabled many people in rural areas to access formal financial services, which were previously unavailable to them. This has helped them to save money, invest in their businesses, and avail of credit, leading to improved livelihoods and financial stability.
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Launched in October 2014, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a cleanliness and sanitation drive aimed at achieving a clean and open defecation-free India by October 2, 2019. The initiative focuses on the construction of individual household toilets, community toilets, and public toilets, as well as the promotion of hygiene and sanitation practices. According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, more than 10 crore individual household toilets have been constructed since the launch of the initiative, and the country has become open defecation free. This has improved the overall hygiene and sanitation facilities in rural and urban areas across the country, leading to better health outcomes and a cleaner environment.
National Rural Health Mission (NRHM): Launched in April 2005, NRHM is a flagship program aimed at improving healthcare facilities and reducing the mortality rate in rural areas. The mission focuses on strengthening the healthcare infrastructure, improving the quality of health services, and increasing access to healthcare for the rural population. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the infant mortality rate (IMR) has declined from 58 per 1,000 live births in 2005 to 32 per 1,000 live births in 2019, and the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has declined from 254 per 1,00,000 live births in 2004-06 to 113 per 1,00,000 live births in 2016-18. The mission has been successful in improving healthcare facilities and reducing mortality rates, leading to better health outcomes for the rural population.
Digital India: Launched in July 2015, Digital India is an ambitious program aimed at transforming India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The initiative focuses on improving connectivity and access to digital services in rural areas, promoting e-governance, and boosting entrepreneurship in the country. The initiative has several components, such as the creation of digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and digital services. According to a report by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the number of internet subscribers in rural areas has increased from 20 million in 2014 to 743 million in 2020, and the number of common service centers (CSCs) has increased from 84,000 in 2014 to 4,72,000 in 2021. This has enabled people in rural areas to access digital services, such as online education, healthcare, and e-commerce, leading to improved quality of life and economic opportunities.
Make in India: Launched in September 2014, Make in India is an initiative aimed at promoting manufacturing and boosting job creation in India. The initiative focuses on attracting foreign investment and promoting domestic manufacturing in sectors such as automobiles, electronics, and textiles. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the initiative has helped to attract foreign direct investment worth $386.45 billion from October 2014 to March 2021. The initiative has also created new jobs and helped to increase the contribution of the manufacturing sector to the country’s GDP.
National Skill Development Mission: Launched in July 2015, the National Skill Development Mission is a flagship program aimed at providing skill training and employment opportunities to the youth of the country. The mission focuses on creating a skilled workforce in priority sectors such as construction, hospitality, and healthcare. According to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, over 2.5 crore people have been trained under the mission since its launch, and more than 1.8 crore of them have been placed in various jobs. The initiative has helped to bridge the skill gap in various sectors and increase the employability of the youth.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): Launched in January 2016, PMFBY is a crop insurance scheme aimed at providing insurance coverage and financial support to farmers in case of crop failure due to natural calamities, pests, or diseases. The scheme focuses on providing affordable insurance to small and marginal farmers, who are most vulnerable to crop losses. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, over 6.32 crore farmers have been covered under the scheme, and claims worth Rs. 89,515 crore have been paid out as of August 2021. The scheme has helped to reduce the financial burden on farmers in case of crop failure and provided them with a safety net.
Ayushman Bharat : Ayushman Bharat is a flagship scheme launched by the Government of India in September 2018. The scheme aims to provide affordable healthcare to the vulnerable sections of society and reduce out-of-pocket expenses for medical treatments. Ayushman Bharat is divided into two components: the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and the Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs).
The PMJAY is a health insurance scheme that provides coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. The scheme covers around 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families in the country, which translates to approximately 50 crore beneficiaries. The PMJAY provides cashless and paperless access to medical treatment at empanelled hospitals across the country. As of August 2021, over 2.4 crore hospitalizations have been authorized under the scheme, and over Rs. 31,000 crore has been authorized for claims.
The HWCs are primary healthcare centres that provide a range of services, including non-communicable disease screening and management, maternal and child health services, and basic laboratory services. The centres aim to provide comprehensive healthcare services to the people at the grassroots level. As of August 2021, over 79,000 HWCs have been operationalized across the country, and they have provided services to over 20 crore people.
The Ayushman Bharat scheme has had a significant impact on the healthcare sector in India. It has provided access to quality healthcare to millions of people who were previously unable to afford medical treatment. The scheme has also led to the creation of new job opportunities in the healthcare sector, and it has helped to boost the overall economy. Moreover, the scheme has contributed to the government’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
There are challenges that need to be addressed to ensure the success of the scheme. These challenges include the need for greater awareness among the target population, improving the quality of services provided, and reducing the financial burden on the government. Nevertheless, the Ayushman Bharat scheme is a significant step towards universal healthcare coverage in India, and it has the potential to transform the healthcare sector in the country.
Opportunities for MSMEs to Enable Communities in India
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have a significant role to play in enabling communities in India. These enterprises are the backbone of the Indian economy, contributing to the growth of various sectors, creating job opportunities, and fostering innovation. Here are some opportunities for MSMEs to contribute towards enabling communities in India:
- Manufacturing for rural development: MSMEs can contribute towards rural development by setting up manufacturing units in rural areas. This will help in creating job opportunities in these areas, and also reduce migration to urban areas. Manufacturing units can be set up for a range of products, including food processing, textiles, handicrafts, and engineering goods.
- Sustainable agriculture: MSMEs can play a crucial role in promoting sustainable agriculture practices in India. By providing innovative solutions for irrigation, soil management, and crop protection, MSMEs can contribute towards improving the productivity and profitability of small and marginal farmers.
- Digital enablement: MSMEs can contribute towards digital enablement by providing affordable digital solutions to rural areas. This can include setting up internet kiosks, providing e-commerce platforms for rural artisans, and developing mobile applications for various services.
- Healthcare: MSMEs can contribute towards improving healthcare facilities in India by developing innovative solutions for medical equipment and devices, telemedicine services, and home healthcare services.
- Skilling: MSMEs can also contribute towards skilling and training the youth in various sectors. This can include providing training in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The government has also taken various initiatives to support MSMEs in India, including the provision of financial assistance, technology upgradation, and marketing support. The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006, provides for the promotion, development, and enhancement of competitiveness of MSMEs. The government has also launched various schemes, including the Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme, the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, and the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme, to support MSMEs.
MSMEs have a crucial role to play in enabling communities in India. By leveraging the opportunities mentioned above, MSMEs can contribute towards economic growth, job creation, and innovation, while also promoting social development and inclusivity. The government’s support for MSMEs will further enable them to play a significant role in the development of the country.
Partnerships of Financial Institutions and Government Schemes for Community Development in India
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Swachh Bharat Abhiyan – State Bank of India : The State Bank of India partnered with the Indian government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan initiative to provide financial support for the construction of toilets and other sanitation facilities in rural areas. As of 2019, the bank had sanctioned loans worth over INR 6,000 crore (approximately USD 820 million) for this purpose, resulting in the construction of over 1.5 million toilets.
- Ayushman Bharat – ICICI Lombard: ICICI Lombard partnered with the Indian government’s Ayushman Bharat initiative, which aims to provide health insurance to underprivileged families in India. Under this partnership, ICICI Lombard provided insurance coverage to over 3.5 lakh (350,000) families, resulting in over 7 lakh (700,000) hospitalizations and over INR 1,400 crore (approximately USD 190 million) in medical expenses covered.
- National Rural Livelihood Mission – National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) partners with the Indian government’s National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) to provide financial support to self-help groups (SHGs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) in rural areas of India. As of March 2021, NABARD had provided credit support of over INR 85,000 crore (approximately USD 11.4 billion) to these SHGs and CBOs, which had helped in creating over 2 crore (20 million) livelihood opportunities.
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – HDFC Bank: HDFC Bank partnered with the Indian government’s Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), which aims to provide affordable housing to low-income families in India. As of March 2020, the bank had disbursed over INR 16,000 crore (approximately USD 2.2 billion) in loans under PMAY, resulting in the construction of over 1.5 lakh (150,000) affordable homes.
- Startup India – State Bank of India : The State Bank of India partnered with the Indian government’s Startup India initiative, which aims to promote entrepreneurship in India. Under this partnership, the bank provides loans and other financial assistance to startups and small businesses. As of March 2021, the bank had sanctioned over INR 6,000 crore (approximately USD 820 million) in loans to startups and small businesses.
- Digital India – Punjab National Bank: Punjab National Bank (PNB) partnered with the Indian government’s Digital India initiative, which aims to promote the use of digital technology in various sectors. Under this partnership, PNB provides digital banking services to its customers, including online and mobile banking, e-wallets, and other digital payment solutions.
- Make in India – Yes Bank: Yes Bank partnered with the Indian government’s Make in India initiative, which aims to promote manufacturing and investment in India. Under this partnership, the bank provides loans and other financial assistance to companies involved in manufacturing and related activities.
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Atal Pension Yojana – Canara Bank : Canara Bank partnered with the Indian government’s Atal Pension Yojana (APY), which aims to provide pension benefits to unorganized sector workers in India. As of March 2020, the bank had enrolled over 20 lakh (2 million) subscribers under APY.
- Mahila E-haat – Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) : The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) partnered with the Ministry of Women and Child Development to launch Mahila E-haat, an e-commerce platform for women entrepreneurs. The platform aims to provide a market for women entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products, as well as access financial support and business development services. As of March 2021, over 25,000 women entrepreneurs had registered on the platform and sold products worth over INR 13 crore (approximately USD 1.7 million).
- National Urban Livelihoods Mission – Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) : The Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) partnered with the Indian government’s National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) to provide financial support for the urban poor to set up and run their own micro-enterprises. As of March 2021, NULM had supported the formation of over 11 lakh (1.1 million) self-help groups, with a total membership of over 1.2 crore (12 million) urban poor. HUDCO had provided credit support of over INR 1,500 crore (approximately USD 200 million) to these self-help groups, which had helped in creating over 20 lakh (2 million) livelihoods.
- Startup India – Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI): The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) partnered with the Indian government’s Startup India initiative to provide financial and technical support to startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As of March 2021, SIDBI had provided credit support of over INR 45,000 crore (approximately USD 6 billion) to startups and SMEs, which had helped in creating over 5 lakh (500,000) jobs.
- Stand Up India – National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) :The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) partnered with the Indian government’s Stand Up India initiative to provide financial support to women and SC/ST entrepreneurs to set up and run their own businesses. As of March 2021, NABARD had provided credit support of over INR 16,000 crore (approximately USD 2.1 billion) to women and SC/ST entrepreneurs, which had helped in creating over 2.5 lakh (250,000) livelihoods.
- National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme – National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) : The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) partnered with the Indian government’s National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) to provide financial support to rural households for employment generation. As of March 2021, NABARD had provided credit support of over INR 1,00,000 crore (approximately USD 13.4 billion) to rural households under NREGS, which had helped in generating employment opportunities for over 7 crore (70 million) rural households.
- Digital India – HDFC Bank: HDFC Bank partnered with the Indian government’s Digital India initiative, which aims to promote the use of digital technology in various sectors. Under this partnership, the bank provides digital banking services to its customers, including online and mobile banking, digital wallets, and other digital payment solutions. This has enabled easy and convenient access to financial services for people across India, including those in remote and underdeveloped areas. As of March 2021, HDFC Bank had over 4,800 branches and 12,000 ATMs across India, providing access to financial services to a large number of people. The bank has also launched various initiatives to promote financial literacy and inclusion, including the SmartUp program, which provides support and mentorship to startups and entrepreneurs. Overall, the partnership between HDFC Bank and the Digital India initiative has helped in promoting financial inclusion and digital literacy in India, which in turn has had a positive impact on the overall socio-economic development of the country.
Overall, the partnerships between government institutions and financial institutions have played a crucial role in enabling the community in India by providing access to financial support, capacity building, and market access to underserved communities. These initiatives have not only helped in creating livelihood opportunities but have also contributed to social and economic development, poverty reduction, and inclusive growth.
Conclusion: The government policies and initiatives discussed in this article have had a significant impact on the communities in India. Through these initiatives, the government has been able to address some of the key challenges faced by the country and improve the lives of many people. These initiatives have led to increased financial inclusion, improved healthcare facilities, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship opportunities, and better employment prospects.
The progress made so far in implementing these policies has been impressive. For instance, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has provided financial services to millions of people, while Ayushman Bharat has facilitated access to quality healthcare for many vulnerable families. The Digital India initiative has provided internet connectivity to millions of people, and the Make in India initiative has created job opportunities in the manufacturing sector. The National Skill Development Mission has equipped millions of youth with skills that make them employable.
Looking to the future, there is still scope for further development and improvement. There are several challenges that the government must address, including reducing economic inequality, improving access to education, and enhancing digital infrastructure in rural areas. With the right policies and initiatives, these challenges can be overcome, and the communities in India can continue to thrive. Overall, the government’s efforts in enabling the community in India have been commendable, and there is optimism that the country’s progress will continue in the future.
References
- Ministry of Finance. (2020). Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana: Achievements so far. Retrieved from https://financialservices.gov.in/sites/default/files/Jan%20Dhan%20Yojana.pdf
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. (2021). Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. Retrieved from https://www.pmjay.gov.in/about/pmjay
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. (2021). Digital India. Retrieved from https://www.digitalindia.gov.in/
- Ministry of Commerce and Industry. (2021). Make in India. Retrieved from https://www.makeinindia.com/
- Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. (2021). National Skill Development Mission. Retrieved from https://www.nsdcindia.org/national-skill-development-mission
- Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. (2021). Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Retrieved from http://www.agricoop.gov.in/divisiontype/scheme/pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojana-pmfby-0
- NITI Aayog. (2018). Women Entrepreneurship in India. Retrieved from https://niti.gov.in/women-entrepreneurship-india
