The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment recently chaired a meeting of the Central Advisory Committee for the PM-AJAY scheme.

About PM-AJAY Scheme

• Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at the upliftment of Scheduled Caste (SC) communities in India.
• Funding: The scheme is 100% funded by the central government.
  • States/UTs can contribute additional funds from their own resources if they choose.
• Launch: It was launched in 2021 to promote social and economic development among SC communities.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

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Objectives of PM-AJAY Scheme

• Reduce poverty among SC communities through skill development and income-generating initiatives.
• Improve literacy rates and increase SC enrolment in educational institutions, with a focus on aspirational districts.

Eligibility Criteria of PM-AJAY Scheme

• Scheduled Castes (SC) persons living below the poverty line (BPL) are eligible to receive benefits under the scheme.
• For infrastructure development, villages with 50% or more SC population qualify for grants.

Core Components of PM-AJAY

PM-AJAY is a merged scheme of three Centrally Sponsored Schemes:

• Adarsh Gram Development (Formerly Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana – PMAGY)
  • Aims to transform SC-majority villages into model villages with integrated development.
  • Focuses on providing essential infrastructure and improving socio-economic indicators in ten key areas, including education, healthcare, financial inclusion, and skill development.
• Grants-in-Aid for District/State-Level Projects (Formerly Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Caste Sub Plan – SCA to SCSP)
  • Provides financial assistance for livelihood development projects to create sustainable income opportunities for SC communities.
  • Supports skill development programs, infrastructure projects, and economic empowerment initiatives.
• Construction of Hostels in Higher Educational Institutions (Formerly Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana – BJRCY)
  • Aims to reduce dropout rates and promote higher education among SC students.
  • Provides funding for hostel construction in top-ranked institutions as per the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).

Special Provisions under Grants-in-Aid Component

• 15% of total grants allocated exclusively for viable income-generating schemes for SC women.
• 30% of total grants allocated for infrastructure development in SC-dominated areas.
• 10% of total funds dedicated to skill development programs.
• Encourages the formation of SC women cooperatives engaged in the production and marketing of consumer goods and services.

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Achievements of (2022-23)

• Under the Adarsh Gram Component, 1,260 villages were declared as Adarsh Gram in the financial year 2023-24.
• Nine new hostels were sanctioned under the Hostel Construction Component.
• Perspective plans for seven states were approved under the Grants-in-Aid Component.

PM-AJAY continues to play a crucial role in uplifting SC communities by ensuring better livelihood opportunities, improved education access, and enhanced infrastructure in SC-majority areas.

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