Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana | 13 Jan 2024

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment highlighted the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a comprehensive scheme amalgamating three Centrally Sponsored Schemes, including Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP), and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY).

• This initiative, launched in the fiscal year 2021-22, aims to uplift Scheduled Caste (SC) communities by generating employment opportunities through skill development, income-generating schemes, and various initiatives.

What are the Key Highlights of the PM-AJAY?

• Objectives:
  • Reduce poverty in the SC communities by the generation of additional employment opportunities through skill development, income-generating schemes and other initiatives.
  • To increase literacy and encourage enrolment of SCs in schools and higher educational institutions by providing adequate residential facilities in quality institutions, in the aspirational districts/SC majority blocks and elsewhere in India.
• Components of PM-AJAY:
  • Development of SC-Dominated Villages into an “AdarshGram”: This component was formerly known as Pradhan Mantri AdarshGram Yojana (PMAGY) and the objective of this component is to ensure integrated development of SC-majority villages.
    • Provide adequate infrastructure for socio-economic development needs.
    • Target improvement in identified socio-economic indicators (Monitorable indicators).
      • The monitorable indicators are distributed across 10 domains. These domains encompass crucial aspects such as Drinking water and Sanitation, Education, Health and Nutrition, Social Security, Rural Roads and Housing, Electricity and Clean fuel, Agricultural Practices, Financial Inclusion, Digitization, and Livelihood and Skill Development.
    • Eliminate disparity between SC and non-SC population.
    • Ensure completion of education up to at least the secondary level for all SC children.
    • Address factors leading to maternal and infant mortality.
    • Eliminate the incidence of malnutrition, especially among children and women.
    • Achievements:
      • Under the Adarsh Gram Component, a total of 1834 villages have been Declared as Adarsh Gram during the current FY2023-24.
  • ‘Grants-in-aid’ for District/State-level Projects:
    • This component was formerly known as Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Caste Sub Plan.
    • The scheme aims at the socio-economic development of SCs through grants for the following types of projects:
    • Comprehensive Livelihood Projects: Such projects which create an entire eco-system for producing sustainable income, or social advancement to the SCs only shall be taken up. The projects should preferably be a combination of two or more of the following:
      • Skill Development: Skilling courses as per norms of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Related facilities and infrastructure for conducting Skill Development Activities conducted by the Government. Skill Development Institutions can also be funded.
      • Grants for Creation/Acquisition of Assets for Beneficiaries/Households: No standalone individual asset distribution is allowed under the scheme. If the project involves acquiring or creating assets crucial for livelihoods, beneficiaries can receive financial assistance for loans, up to Rs. 50,000 or 50% of the asset cost, whichever is less, per beneficiary/household.
      • Infrastructure development: Development of infrastructure related to the project and also Hostels and residential schools.
    • Special Provisions:
      • Upto 15% of the total Grants exclusively on viable income-generating economic development schemes/programmes for SC Women.
      • Upto 30% of the total Grants utilized for infrastructure development
      • Atleast 10% of the total funds for skill development
      • Promote SC Women Cooperatives engaged in the production and marketing of consumer goods and services.
    • Achievements:
      • During the FY 2023-24, the perspective plan for 17 states has been approved under the Grant-in-aid component.
  • Construction of Hostels in Higher Educational Institutions:
    • It enables and encourages SC students to attain quality education and reduce dropout rate, Implemented through the State Governments, UT Administrations and central and State Universities/Institutions
      • The cost norms for construction/expansion of hostels will be as under:
        • North Eastern Region: Rs.3.50 lakh per inmate.
        • Northern Himalayan Regions: Rs.3.25 lakh per inmate.
        • Gangetic Plains & Lower Himalayan Region: Rs3.00 lakh per inmate.
      • 100% Central assistance for hostels for boys ’hostels as well– earlier it was cost sharing with the State.
  • Achievements:
    • During the FY 2023-24, a total of 15 new hostels have been sanctioned.