Over One Crore Beneficiaries Gaining from Social Security Schemes — Chief Secretary

Jaipur : Chief Secretary Shri Sudhansh Pant stated that over one crore beneficiaries are availing the benefits of schemes run by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. He mentioned that the minimum pension amount under social security pension schemes has been increased to ₹1150. He further noted that annual physical verification of beneficiaries is now being conducted at the Gram Sabha level to ensure that eligible individuals receive timely benefits under the schemes.

Shri Pant was addressing a review meeting organized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment at the Rajasthan Institute of Public Administration, Jaipur, with five states participating to evaluate centrally sponsored schemes.

He highlighted that artificial intelligence has been utilized under the Silicosis Scheme, for which the state has been recognized with an e-governance award by the central government.

He stated that the central government allocates a fixed budget, and the implementation of schemes is carried out by the state governments, often facing challenges in the process. Additionally, he noted that state governments contribute a larger share of the budget compared to the center.

Shri Pant urged the central government to allocate funds in a timely manner to ensure the efficient operation of schemes and prompt benefits to beneficiaries. He assured that the implementation of schemes would continue smoothly and emphasized the importance of timely budget allocation from the central government for better execution.

Secretary of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Amit Yadav, remarked that the central government is committed to ensuring welfare schemes reach the last person in the line. He expressed hope that India would soon rank among developed nations.

He added that the purpose of this meeting was not only to review centrally sponsored schemes but also to address challenges faced by states in their implementation and to expedite their execution.

Additional Chief Secretary of Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Kuldeep Ranka, welcomed the attendees and provided insights into the department’s schemes. He noted that Rajasthan has invested significantly in social security.

He stated that Rajasthan is one of the leading states in operating social security pension schemes, currently benefitting approximately 90 lakh pensioners. He also shared that the state’s unique Palanhar Scheme has over six lakh beneficiaries.

Schemes Reviewed During the Meeting

The meeting reviewed various schemes, including:

• Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships for Scheduled Castes
• Pradhan Mantri Scheduled Caste Abhyudaya Yojana (PM-AJAY)
• Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955
• Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
• PM-Yashasvi Scheme
• Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED)
• NAMASTE Scheme
• NAPDDR
• Atal Vayu Abhyudaya Scheme

The meeting was attended by Shri Amit Kumar Ghosh, Additional Secretary, Government of India; Shri Bachanesh Agarwal, Director, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment; and principal secretaries, secretaries, and representatives from the states of Punjab, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Haryana.