Srinagar, October 11: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Sunday highlighted various Central Government welfare schemes during a press conference in Srinagar, emphasising the need to ensure their effective implementation and reach among eligible beneficiaries.
Athawale said the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment was ready to consider proposals from the Jammu and Kashmir Government concerning old-age homes and other support facilities through the appropriate channels.
He also stressed the implementation of provisions for persons with disabilities, including reservation in education and government employment.
Referring to the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyaan, the Minister underlined the need to improve accessibility in public buildings and facilities to enable persons with disabilities to access public spaces and services independently.
Athawale also highlighted government initiatives aimed at expanding financial inclusion, promoting self-employment, improving housing and healthcare access, and supporting vulnerable sections of society.
Referring to the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, he spoke about efforts to expand access to banking services, while highlighting the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, which provides collateral-free loans to eligible beneficiaries for small businesses and self-employment.
The Minister also referred to the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural and Urban), Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and UJALA Yojana, covering clean cooking fuel, housing, healthcare and energy-efficient lighting.
He emphasised the role of skill development, entrepreneurship and support for micro, small and medium enterprises in creating livelihood opportunities.
Athawale reiterated the need for concerned officials to facilitate the effective implementation of welfare schemes and ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the intended benefits.
