Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana (PM- AJAY) is a merged scheme of 03 Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan ( SCA to SCSP) and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana(BJRCY) and has been implemented since 2021-22 with an aim to reduce poverty of the SC communities by generation of additional employment opportunities through Skill development, income generating schemes and other initiatives and to improve socio-economic developmental indicators by ensuring adequate infrastructure and requisite services in the SC dominated villages.

The Scheme has three components: 1. Development of SC dominated villages into an “Adarsh Gram”. 2.‘Grants-in-aid’ for District/State-level Projects for socio-economic betterment of SCs that may include creation of infrastructure in SC dominated villages including those selected under Adarsh Gram component, construction of Hostels/Residential schools, Comprehensive Livelihood Projects which may include components such as Skill development, related infrastructure development, financial assistance towards loans taken by beneficiaries for acquisition/creation of assets required for livelihood generation etc. 3.Construction of Hostels in higher educational institutions which are top-ranked as per the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) of Government of India and are funded by the Centre/State/UT Governments either fully or partially. Similarly, construction of hostels in schools which are either fully or partially funded by the Centre/State/UT Governments and recommended by the Ministry of Education

Objectives of  Adarsh Gram Component {erstwhile Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana} -The objective of this component is to ensure integrated development of SC majority villages so that, inter alia, there is:, Adequate infrastructure,  All requisite infrastructure necessary for socio-economic development needs are to be provided under the Scheme. Improvement in Socio-Economic Indicators. The identified socio-economic indicators, known as Monitorable indicators, are to be improved so that the disparity between SC and non-SC population is eliminated and the level of indicators is raised to atleast that of the National average. More specifically, all BPL SC families should have food and livelihood security, all SC children should complete education at least up to the secondary level, all factors leading to maternal and infant mortality are addressed and incidence of malnutrition, especially among children and women, is eliminated.

About Grants-in-aid for District/State-level Projects for Socio-Economic betterment of SCs {erstwhile scheme of Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Caste Sub Plan}

The scheme aims at socio-economic development of SCs through grants for following types of projects:

1. Comprehensive Livelihood Projects: Such projects which create an entire eco-system for producing sustainable income, or social advancement to the Scheduled Castes only shall be taken up. The projects should preferably be a combination of two or more of following :
   1. Skill Development: Skilling courses as per norms of MSDE. Related facilities and infrastructure for conducting Skill Development Activities conducted by the Government. Skill Development Institutions can also be funded.
   2. Grants for creation/acquisition of assets for beneficiaries/households: There shall be no standalone individual asset distribution under the scheme. However, if project has provision for acquisition/creation of assets for beneficiaries/households needed for livelihood generation, financial assistance towards loans taken by the beneficiary for such acquisition/creation of assets, would be upto Rs.50,000 or 50% of the asset cost, whichever is less, per beneficiary/household.
   3. Infrastructure development: Development of infrastructure related to the project and also Hostels and residential schools.
2. Other infrastructure- Various other infrastructure development projects in SC majority villages.

Special Provisions:

• Upto 15% of the total Grants exclusively on viable income generating economic development schemes/programme 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 production and marketing of consumer goods and services.

 The Achievements during the current Financial Year 2022-23:- Under Adarsh Gram Component, a total of 1260 villages have been declared as Adarsh Gram during the current FY 2023-24. A total of 09 new hostels have been sanctioned under Hostel component of the scheme. Perspective plan for 07 States have been approved under Grant-in-aid component during the current financial year.

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MG/VL