Central Advisory Committee Maps Roadmap For PM-AJAY Upliftment

The Central Advisory Committee met in New Delhi under the chairmanship of the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr Virendra Kumar, for a high-level review of the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana. The session was held at Manthan Hall, GPOA-3 in New Delhi. The minister emphasised the government's commitment to social and economic empowerment of Scheduled Caste communities and urged coordination between states and the centre for timely implementation and fund utilisation, while indicating scope expansion to reach more aspiring communities.

The committee reviewed performance from fiscal year 2021-22 to fiscal year 2025-26 and acknowledged progress. It recorded 15,387 villages declared as Adarsh Gram, more than Rs 17.3 billion (Rs 17.3 bn) released to states under the grant-in-aid component, and benefits to more than 0.25 million (0.25 mn) individual and group beneficiaries through asset creation and livelihood initiatives. Completion of 785 student hostels was noted to support residential facilities and higher education enrolment.

The committee noted rollout of the AJAY mobile application enabling digital field surveys in 24 Indian languages with geo-tagged, time-stamped photo verification for community assets. State and union territory representatives commended progress and sought higher allocations and improved convergence to strengthen outcomes. They urged enhanced financial support and closer on-ground coordination to translate policy into measurable results.

The CAC agreed a forward-looking roadmap for the next phase, endorsing increased scope across all three components to reach aspiring Scheduled Caste communities. It recommended a comprehensive approach to livelihood and skill development and additional funds for hostel construction to support educational empowerment. The committee asked states to implement the scheme in a time-bound manner and to utilise funds efficiently to sustain momentum.

Related Stories

Ministry Reports Gains In Mobility For Marginalised Communities
Asian Energy Services Q1 FY27 PAT Rises 129 Per Cent
BioBTX to Build First Commercial-Scale Circular Chemicals Plant