Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme being implemented since 2021-22 after the merger of three erstwhile schemes i.e. (i) ‘ Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram’, (ii) ‘Special Central Assistance to Scheduled

Caste Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP) for District/State-level Projects for Socio-Economic betterment of  Scheduled Caste(SC) Communities’ and (iii) ‘Babu  Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY). Now these three merged schemes work as a component of the Umbrella scheme Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana i.e  PM-AJAY.

Since its inception in 2021-22, a total of 12,964 villages have been declared as Adarsh Gram and ₹1651.84 crore has been released under this component for development work under these villages. Since 2021-22 under the Grants-in-Aid component an amount of  ₹1461.13 crore has been released for 2,48,570 SC beneficiaries. Under the Hostel component, 90 new hostels have been sanctioned since 2021-22, benefitting 10,649 SC students and an amount of Rs. 175.66 Crore has been released. Further, during FY 2025-26, Mother Sanctions amounting to ₹892.59 crore have been issued under the above three components of the scheme.

Under PM-AJAY, there is no provision for housing and infrastructure to individuals. However, community development works are being undertaken. During last two years, various essential infrastructure development works such as internal approach road, solid and liquid waste management infrastructure, soak pit, street light etc. have been carried out in SC dominated villages leading to declaration of 7162 villages as Adarsh Gram. 11484 projects including Skill development and income generation projects under Grants-in-Aid component have been approved.  Further, 64 hostels have been sanctioned enabling improved enrolment, retention & educational outcomes for SC students.

PM-AJAY has strengthened community-level empowerment through planning as the process of creation of Village Development Plan  requires the  Village Level Convergence Committee (VLCC) to carry out needs assessment of the major developmental gaps in the village. Further, under  PM-AJAY- (i) development of essential infrastructure in SC- dominated villages has led to improve access to education, livelihoods, sanitation, mobility and public services; (ii) skill development and income-generating projects have enhanced employability and reduced poverty among SC households; and (iii) provision of residential hostels has enabled improved enrolment, retention and educational outcomes for SC students, particularly in aspirational districts and SC-dominated blocks. The convergence-based approach and village-level planning under PM-AJAY have facilitated improved access to a wide range of welfare schemes and promoted socio-economic inclusion of Scheduled Caste communities.

This information was provided by the MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

 

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