Union Social Justice Minister highlights four years achievements of NDA government

Addressing a Press Conference on the “Four year’s achievement of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment” in New Delhi, Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot said that there is an increase of 12.19% in the Budget of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in the year 2018-19.

The Budget in year 2017-18 was Rs. 6908.00 crore which has been increased to Rs. 7750.00 crore in year 2018-19. This is an Increase of Rs. 842.00 crore i.e. 12.19 % increase in the budget.

The Union Minister said that a National Survey of Manual Scavengers in 170 identified districts of 18 States has been undertaken keeping in view the slow progress of identification by States.

The Survey is being coordinated and monitored by NSKFDC in association with the representatives of State Government and Social Organizations. Survey Camps in 125 districts have been completed and so far, 5365 persons have been identified as manual scavengers.

He said that the Ministry is implementing 25 Schemes in Direct Benefit Transfer mode.

During 2016-17and 2017-18 assistance/benefits to 1.45 and 1.66 crore beneficiaries respectively were released in DBT mode by the implementing agencies.

Aadhaar seeding in the beneficiary database has reached to 66%. Allocation under Allocation for Welfare of Scheduled Castes (AWSC) has increased from Rs. 30850.88 crore in 2015-16 to Rs. 56618.50 crore, an increase of 83.52%, he added.