Jammu, Dec 15: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday reviewed the implementation and progress of various public welfare and financial inclusion schemes across Jammu and Kashmir, including the newly rolled-out Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana, aimed at providing assured social security to unorganised workers and marginal farmers. These schemes aim to provide social security to unorganized workers and marginal farmers, respectively.
The meeting, coordinated by the Finance Department and attended via video conferencing by officials including the Divisional Commissioners, Secretaries of Labour, Education, Land Records, and Deputy Commissioners, discussed the progress and modalities for scheme registration. Dulloo emphasized the need for district-level committees at Tehsil and Block levels to raise awareness and maximize beneficiary enrollment. Capacity-building and training of field officers were also prioritized.
Dulloo instructed the Labour & Employment Department to launch an aggressive IEC campaign in collaboration with CSC-SPV and the Information Department to reach eligible workers across districts. With over 34 lakh workers registered on the e-Shram portal, he directed efforts to enroll at least 10 lakh workers under PM-SYM to secure their old-age pensions. He also advised leveraging the PM-Kisan database to enroll eligible marginal farmers for PM-KMY, noting that many landholders fall within the scheme’s criteria.
The Chief Secretary reviewed the performance of other financial schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY). He urged district officials to push for full saturation, recognizing these schemes’ importance for socio-economic security. Recent campaigns had led to significant enrollment increases: PMJJBY saw 1,69,713 new accounts; 34,780 for APY; 71,415 for PMJDY; and 4,57,522 for PMSBY.
Regarding PM-SYM, Deputy Commissioners were advised to mobilize awareness campaigns and organize orientation camps for CSC volunteers to facilitate enrollment of unorganized sector workers aged 18-40, including construction workers, street vendors, mid-day meal workers, handloom workers, and brick kiln laborers. Marginal farmers owning less than two hectares were identified as potential beneficiaries, with over 9 lakh already receiving benefits under PM-Kisan, which could extend to PM-KMY.
Beneficiaries under PM-SYM are expected to contribute ₹55 to ₹200 monthly based on age, with the government matching contributions to ensure a pension of ₹3,000 after age 60. Dulloo directed setting weekly enrollment targets for each CSC, tailored to local beneficiary availability, and emphasized strict adherence.
The meeting also discussed the digitalization of work processes through a portal modeled on Srinagar’s e-Nigrani portal, aimed at streamlining work approvals, estimates, and monitoring using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Additionally, the officials examined circle rates across districts, comparing them with other states to rationalize rates, enhance revenue, and prevent leakage.
Overall, the review underscored the government’s commitment to expanding social security and financial inclusion to improve socio-economic stability in Jammu and Kashmir.
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