In News:

It is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme initiated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The scheme aims at the socio-economic upliftment of the Scheduled Caste (SC) communities, particularly targeting the reduction of poverty through various initiatives that focus on skill development, infrastructure, and income-generating projects.

Key Highlights:

• Launch and Funding: Launched in 2021, the scheme is fully funded by the central government, though states and Union Territories (UTs) have the option to contribute additional funds from their own resources. PM-AJAY is the consolidation of three pre-existing schemes:

• Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY)
• Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP)
• BabuJagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY)

• Objectives of PM-AJAY: The scheme is focused on improving the overall well-being of SC communities by:

• Reducing poverty through income-generating schemes, skill development, and infrastructure projects.
• Promoting social and economic development by improving literacy rates, educational enrolment, and providing better livelihood opportunities.
• Transforming SC-majority villages into model villages with integrated development, enhancing socio-economic indicators like education, healthcare, and financial inclusion.
• Eligibility Criteria
• Scheduled Caste (SC) persons living below the poverty line (BPL) are eligible for benefits.
• For infrastructure development, villages with 50% or more SC population are prioritized for grants.
• Key Components of PM-AJAY: The scheme comprises three core components:

• Adarsh Gram Development (formerly PMAGY): Aims to develop SC-majority villages into model villages with holistic improvements in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and skill development.
• Grants-in-Aid for District/State-Level Projects (formerly SCA to SCSP): Financial assistance is provided for livelihood development projects, including skill development programs and infrastructure projects, to generate sustainable income for SC communities.
• Construction of Hostels in Higher Educational Institutions (formerly BJRCY): Focuses on promoting higher education among SC students by constructing hostels in top-ranked institutions according to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). This aims to reduce dropout rates and enhance access to quality education.

Special Provisions under the Grants-in-Aid Component

• 15% of the total grants are exclusively allocated for income-generating schemes for SC women.
• 30% of the grants are allocated for infrastructure development in SC-dominated areas.
• 10% of funds are reserved for skill development programs.
• The scheme encourages the formation of SC women cooperatives for producing and marketing consumer goods and services.

Achievements (2022-23)

• 1,260 villages were declared as Adarsh Gram in the financial year 2023-24 under the Adarsh Gram component.
• Nine new hostels were sanctioned under the Hostel Construction component.
• Perspective plans for seven states were approved under the Grants-in-Aid component.