Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM‑AJAY) continues to strengthen socio‑economic empowerment of Scheduled Caste communities through poverty reduction, livelihood creation and infrastructure improvements, according to the Government.
The statement from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said its flagship scheme promotes inclusive development through a technology-enabled and outcome-oriented implementation framework.
The Adarsh Gram component of the PM-AJAY scheme has covered 47,316 villages, benefiting 47,59,399 citizens across the country, the statement said.
A senior ministry official informed that 46,782 development works have been completed, while 24,133 Village Development Plans (VDPs) have been prepared.
As many as 16,759 villages have been declared as Adarsh Grams, reflecting significant progress in improving infrastructure, basic services and quality of life in Scheduled Caste-majority villages, the statement noted.
The ministry has allocated Rs 22.50 crore for FY27 for construction of three hostel projects, including two for girls, to provide accommodation for 750 students.
Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar said that PM-AJAY plays a crucial role in addressing socio-economic disparities through focused interventions, collaborative efforts towards empowering SC individuals and promoting inclusive growth.
The scheme promotes inclusive growth by empowering communities and strengthening grassroots institutions through convergence and community participation, the minister said.
The Adarsh Gram component focuses on integrated development of villages with substantial Scheduled Caste populations through infrastructure creation and community-led planning.
