Context– The Ministry of Rural Development has implemented a range of strategies aimed at enhancing the economic well-being of rural populations.

About Special Employment Guarantee Scheme (SEGS)

• The Special Employment Guarantee Scheme (SEGS) is a program designed to provide employment opportunities and income support to individuals who need work, especially in areas with high unemployment:
• Focus on increasing livelihood opportunities, empowering rural women, providing social safety nets, developing skills among rural youth, and improving infrastructure through various programs.

Need of this Special Employment Guarantee Scheme

Special Employment Guarantee Schemes (SEGS) are created to tackle specific employment issues experienced by different groups in society. These issues may include high unemployment rates, underemployment, or obstacles faced by marginalized communities in accessing job opportunities.

• Addressing Unemployment:  SEGS provides a safety net for those who are unemployed or underemployed, helping to create job opportunities and stabilize income for individuals who might otherwise struggle to find work.
• Supporting Vulnerable Groups: These schemes often target vulnerable or marginalized groups, such as women, disabled individuals, or minorities, helping them overcome barriers to employment and achieve greater economic stability.
• Promoting Economic Stability: By boosting employment, SEGS can help stimulate economic activity and growth. When more people have jobs, they have more disposable income to spend, which can drive demand for goods and services.
• Reducing Poverty: By ensuring that people have access to employment opportunities, SEGS can help reduce poverty levels and improve living standards.
• Enhancing Skills and Training: Many employment guarantee schemes include provisions for training and skill development, which can enhance workers’ employability and productivity in the long term.

Government Schemes/ Programme

Indian Govt. and It’s all ministries implementing a number of targeted programmes/ schemes aiming to enhance the standard of living in rural areas by creating employment and livelihood opportunities.

MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.)

• It is a significant piece of legislation in India, enacted in 2005, aimed at providing employment security and improving rural livelihoods.
• MNREGA was designed to enhance the livelihood security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
• The wages are paid at the minimum wage rate set by the state government, and the payment is made directly to workers’ bank accounts, promoting transparency and reducing corruption.
• This scheme also particularly benefits marginalized groups, including women, scheduled castes, and scheduled tribes, by providing employment opportunities and reducing rural poverty.
• Under MNREGA, Scheduled Tribe households living in forest areas are entitled to an additional 50 days of wage employment beyond the standard guarantee. Additionally, in rural areas affected by drought or natural calamities, the scheme provides an extra 50 days of wage employment.

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kausal Yojna (DDU-GKY) and Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETI), which focus on improving employability through wage or self-employment, particularly for SCs/STs/OBCs/Minority communities. These initiatives contribute to the economic and social development of rural youth.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampan Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana, aims to enhance skills among marginalized youth, including SCs, OBCs, De-notified Tribes, and Economically Backward Classes. The program offers both long-term and short-term training to boost skill levels and facilitate wage or self-employment, promoting empowerment and economic development.

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship’s PMKVY offers skill training to youth, including SC/ST and economically weaker sections, through Short Term Training (STT) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises’ PMEGP provides credit-linked subsidies to foster self-employment by supporting micro-enterprises and aiding traditional artisans and unemployed youth.

Conclusion–

• Special Employment Guarantee Schemes (SEGS) are crucial for fostering inclusive economic development by addressing employment challenges in targeted populations. They provide essential support to marginalized and vulnerable groups, create job opportunities, and promote skill development.
• By guaranteeing employment and offering targeted interventions, SEGS contributed to poverty reduction, economic stability, and social empowerment. Overall, these schemes are vital tools for ensuring equitable growth and improving the standard of living for disadvantaged communities.