Hazarika urged increased hostel support for Northeast under PM-AJAY and proposes India’s first Divyang University.
New Delhi: Assam Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Pijush Hazarika, has urged the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) of the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyudaya Yojana (PM-AJAY) to increase the hostel component for Assam and the Northeast region under the scheme.
Speaking at the first CAC meeting of PM-AJAY, held at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi on Saturday, Hazarika highlighted the need for greater assistance in the region. He requested the committee to raise the hostel component from the existing Rs 20 lakh, emphasising that the Northeast requires additional support compared to other parts of the country. He reiterated the Assam government’s commitment to uplifting the Scheduled Caste (SC) communities under the scheme.
The meeting, chaired by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar, was attended by CAC members, ministers from various states, and senior officials from different ministries. Dr Kumar reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the holistic development of SC communities, stating that PM-AJAY plays a crucial role in bridging socio-economic disparities. He emphasised that through targeted interventions and collaborative efforts, the scheme aims to empower SC individuals and promote inclusive growth.
PM-AJAY, launched in 2021-22 as a centrally sponsored scheme, comprises three key components: the Adarsh Gram Component, Grants-in-Aid for State/District-Level Projects, and the Hostel Component. The CAC is responsible for providing overall guidance, monitoring implementation, addressing policy issues, assessing socio-economic impact, and issuing supplementary guidelines when necessary.
Following the meeting, Hazarika shared his experience on X, expressing his gratitude for attending the first CAC meeting under the leadership of Dr Kumar. He acknowledged the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in launching PM-AJAY to drive socio-economic progress for SC communities through education, poverty eradication, and skill development. He reaffirmed Assam’s commitment to ensuring that the scheme’s initiatives bring meaningful transformation to people’s lives.
Additionally, Hazarika met with Union Minister Dr Kumar and proposed the establishment of India’s first Divyang University in Assam. He emphasised that such an institution would play a crucial role in empowering persons with disabilities through education, skill development, and other initiatives, ultimately contributing to national development and social progress. Dr Kumar attentively considered the proposal.
Sharing details of the meeting on X, Hazarika stated that, on behalf of the Assam government, he urged the central government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, to consider setting up the university. He reiterated that the state government, led by Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, strongly believes in the transformative potential of such an institution for persons with disabilities.