| News Souce: PIB 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. |
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana (PM-AJAY)
Objective:
- Reduce poverty in the SC communities by generating additional employment opportunities through skill development, income-generating schemes and other initiatives.
- To promote literacy and higher education for SCs, suitable residential facilities in quality institutions are provided in aspirational districts/SC majority blocks throughout India.
Components of PM-AJAY:
The Scheme has three components:
| ‘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: a) 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. |
| 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 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. Under the Adarsh Gram Component, a total of 1834 villages have been Declared as Adarsh Gram during the current FY2023-24. |
| 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: a) North Eastern Region: Rs.3.50 lakh per inmate. b) Northern Himalayan Regions: Rs.3.25 lakh per inmate. c) 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. During FY 2023–24, a total of 15 new hostels have been sanctioned. |