The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is convening a Regional Review Meeting in Diu on October 9, 2026, to comprehensively assess the implementation of major welfare, social empowerment, and social defence schemes across the Western Region. The meeting brings together senior representatives from Rajasthan, Goa, Maharashtra, and the Union Territory Administration of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, led by Secretary Shri Sudhansh Pant and under the guidance of Hon'ble Administrator Shri Praful Patel.
Scheme Review Focus
The meeting will conduct a detailed scheme-wise review of several key programs including Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), enforcement mechanisms under the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). The assessment will cover physical and financial progress, beneficiary coverage and saturation, fund utilization, institutional mechanisms, statutory safeguards implementation, awareness measures, rehabilitation initiatives, and convergence with Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.
Additional Program Coverage
The deliberations will extend to scholarship schemes with focus on beneficiary coverage, application verification processes, timely disbursement through Direct Benefit Transfer, and outreach to uncovered eligible students. The Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) will be reviewed for senior citizen welfare initiatives including institutional care, active ageing, social security, and accessibility programs. The National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) will be assessed for identification of sanitation workers, occupational safety, social security access, mechanization of operations, and livelihood support convergence.
Implementation Objectives
The primary focus is on strengthening institutional coordination between the Ministry, states, and UT administration to ensure effective, transparent, and accountable implementation with emphasis on last-mile delivery, beneficiary saturation, efficient resource utilization, and measurable outcomes. The meeting will identify implementation gaps, share best practices, and formulate time-bound corrective measures through open-house discussions covering beneficiary identification, inter-departmental convergence, monitoring systems, fund utilization, and grievance redressal.
Expected Outcomes
The concluding session will consolidate key observations and priorities, finalize action points and responsibilities, strengthen coordination mechanisms, ensure time-bound resolution of implementation issues, and establish improved monitoring of physical and financial progress with submission of Action Taken Reports by concerned authorities. The meeting aims to reinforce the government's commitment to inclusive development, social protection, and empowerment of vulnerable sections with continued focus on ensuring scheme benefits reach the last mile.