PIONEER NEWS SERVICE / Dehradun
The Union minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale has said that Uttarakhand has made a good progress in all fields under the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
In an interaction with the media on Friday, Athawale who is on a two day visit of the States said that the Government of India is committed to social justice and the welfare of all sections of society through numerous flagship schemes and policy initiatives. He noted that his ministry continuously works for the welfare of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), persons with disabilities, transgenders, senior citizens and other vulnerable groups.
He further mentioned that the benefits of various public welfare schemes run by the Central Government have reached millions of people across the country. For instance, under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, more than 58.30 crore bank accounts have been opened nationwide, including 40.91 lakh accounts in Uttarakhand. Additionally, under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, over 58.31 crore loans have been sanctioned across the country, with 36.87 lakh beneficiaries in Uttarakhand. He highlighted the significant achievements of major schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, stating that these initiatives have greatly improved the living standards of citizens.
Athawale said that under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, health coverage has been extended to over 12.17 crore beneficiaries across the country. He also said the government’s efforts to establish 790 de-addiction centres, support old-age homes, promote financial inclusion and provide assistance to MSMEs and young entrepreneurs through various schemes. He appealed to the youth, asserting that the government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is fully committed to strengthening the MSME sector and supporting entrepreneurship.
Regarding the proposed caste census, Athawale stated that it would help assess the social and economic status of various communities, ensuring that eligible beneficiaries can effectively receive the benefits of schemes.
He expressed that the women’s reservation initiative will enhance women’s participation in democratic institutions and conveyed confidence that the delimitation process will progress with broad political consensus. Furthermore, he said that the government has enacted a stringent law to prevent question paper leaks, ensuring strict action against offenders.
