Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Holds Western Zone Regional Review Meeting
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment convened a daylong Regional Review Meeting in the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu on October 9, 2026, to comprehensively review implementation of major welfare, social empowerment, and social defence schemes across the Western Zone. The meeting was attended by senior representatives from the states of Rajasthan, Goa, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, along with officials from the Union Territory Administration.
Secretary of the Ministry, Shri Sudhansh Pant, chaired the meeting and emphasized the objectives of strengthening institutional coordination, ensuring outcome-oriented implementation with focus on last-mile delivery, beneficiary coverage saturation, efficient resource utilization, and measurable outcomes. The meeting served as a platform for scheme-wise assessment of progress, identification of implementation gaps, sharing of best practices, and formulation of time-bound corrective measures.
Scheme-Wise Review Coverage
The review covered multiple 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 Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). The assessment examined 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 programs reviewed included Scholarship Schemes (focusing on beneficiary coverage, application processes, timely disbursement, DBT-related issues, and outreach measures), Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (covering senior citizen welfare, institutional care, active ageing, social security, and accessibility), and National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) addressing identification of sanitation workers, occupational safety, zero fatalities goal, social security access, mechanization, and livelihood support.
Implementation Focus and Outcomes
A dedicated Outcome Review Session assessed beneficiary coverage saturation, service delivery quality and timeliness, implementation bottlenecks, technology-enabled monitoring, grievance redressal systems, and convergence between Central and State/UT programs. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring government interventions translate into tangible improvements for intended beneficiaries. The meeting identified priority interventions and specific action points for participating states and UT, focusing on strengthening implementation mechanisms, improving outreach, addressing beneficiary identification gaps, and ensuring timely benefit delivery.
Way Forward and Commitments
The concluding session focused on consolidating observations, priorities, and recommendations, finalizing action points and responsibilities, strengthening coordination between Ministry and states/UT, time-bound resolution of implementation issues, improved monitoring of physical and financial progress, and submission of follow-up Action Taken Reports. Secretary Sudhansh Pant administered Senior Citizen Pledge and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Pledge to participants, reinforcing the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach for drug-free development and senior citizen welfare.