Port Blair, Dec 24: Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Mr. Ramdas Athawale currently on visit to A&N Islands stated that the Central Govt. is committed towards the welfare of the people of A&N Islands and the Govt. under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi has brought umpteen number of welfare oriented schemes for the benefit and to uplift the socio economic status of the common man. He said he reviewed the implementation of various schemes and stated that the scheme of the Ministry is being effectively implemented by the A&N Administration in these Islands. He said that he had assured the Administration that support of the Central Govt. will always be there to resolve any issues in the implementation of the schemes.
The Minister further stated that the Central Govt. under the leadership of Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi has brought many social security schemes for the benefit of the common people. He said, under PM Jan Dhan Yojana a good number of bank accounts have been opened. He further disclosed that under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (Ayushman Bharat Yojana) about 2465 people have been benefited in Isles. Under Ujala Yojana 4 lakh Led bulbs have been issued while under Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana, 13,600 gas connections were allotted to the beneficiaries, the Minister said.
The Minister stated that the number of pre-matric 9th & 10th OBC students in A&N Islands is 2651 and the number of OBC students in class 11th & 12th is 2662 while the number of OBC students in higher education is 1542. The Ministry has sanctioned Rs. 60 lakh as scholarship to OBC students in A&N Islands; the Minister said adding that atrocities are very less in A&N Islands. The number of senior Citizens is 15,185 and they are covered under the Pension Scheme of the Ministry. The number of Divayangjan is 5611 as per the Census of 2011.
Briefing about the schemes of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Minister said, 1658 Old Age Homes are functioning all over India which are run by NGOs while in A&N Islands, two Old Age Homes are being run by the A&N Administration in which 33 males and 8 females are being looked after in these Homes, the Minister said.
The Minister further stated that the scheme devised by the Ministry is meant for all sections of the society and the eligible beneficiaries are availing the schemes. The Minister informed that the Ministry as part of Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign will cover 262 districts in the first phase while more districts will be covered in second phase.
Meanwhile, on Dec.25, Minister will attend the function of naming of Zilla Parishad South Andaman as’ Atal Bhawan’ and unveil the statue of Bharat Ratna Late Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India at Zilla Parishad, South Andaman.
