NITI Aayog has conducted an evaluation study on Nai Roshni, the scheme for Leadership Development of Minority Women, in 2015-16 and prepared a report in June, 2016. The main objective of the study was to assess the impact of the scheme on minority women and to identify policy/ programme impediments in implementation of the scheme. The study covered 15 Districts, 30 Blocks, 87 Villages and 27 NGOs spread over 8 (eight) states namely Assam, West Bengal, Punjab, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. According to NITI Aayog, “Despite a few bottlenecks in the implementation of the scheme, majority of the findings of the study indicate that the programme has been appreciated by most of the segments of the population of the society and it has assisted in creating confidence among minority women and developing leadership spirit in them. Moreover, the trained women are also utilizing their enriched knowledge within their surroundings and thereby helping their families as well as neighbours in raising their essential demands and claims from various Government authorities.”
Salient recommendations include relaxation in experience criterion or any other qualifying criterion; selecting women trainees who are less qualified and aware; revision in financial norms; taking up more awareness programme about the scheme; inclusion of women from general category in training programme; increasing number of days of training; developing training modules on laws protecting interest of women; and including provision for Persons with Disabilities in the training modules.
As per existing scheme guidelines, minority women from deprived sections including less qualified are covered. Moreover, guidelines also permit coverage of 25% non- minority women in a project. As regards awareness about scheme, an audio and a video spot on Nai Roshni scheme are already being broadcast/telecast regularly on All India Radio Network and Doordarshan Network respectively all over India including North Eastern States. A training module on „Legal Rights of women‟ is already covered. Further, the modifications in the scheme provisions are done as per laid down procedure at the time of review of the scheme.