Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Holds Western Region Review Meeting in Diu

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, organized a one-day Regional Review Meeting (RRM) in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (DNH&DD). The primary objective of the meeting was to conduct a comprehensive review of social empowerment, social security, and the implementation of major welfare schemes across the western region of the country.

The meeting was chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Sudhansh Pant. The event saw participation from senior representatives of the states of Rajasthan, Goa, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, as well as senior officials from the administration of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The meeting was conducted under the guidance of Mr. Praful Patel, Administrator of the DNH&DD Union Territory.

Secretary Sudhansh Pant stated that the purpose of the meeting was to strengthen institutional synergy between the ministry and the administrations of the concerned states and union territories. He emphasized that the implementation of social justice and empowerment programs must be transparent, accountable, and result-oriented to ensure 100 percent coverage and that the benefits of government schemes reach the last person in society.

During the meeting, a detailed scheme-wise review of several key programs was conducted, including the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), the Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955, the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989, and the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). Additionally, the implementation of legal safeguards and coordination with the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' (NMBA) were assessed.

Discussions also focused on scholarship schemes, the Atal Vayu Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), and the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE). Under NAMASTE, critical points such as the profiling of sanitation workers, occupational safety, mechanization of sanitation work, and ensuring zero deaths were highlighted.

In the concluding session of the meeting, specific action points were identified to strengthen the implementation mechanism, improve outreach, and address gaps in beneficiary identification. Secretary Sudhansh Pant administered the 'Senior Citizen Pledge' and the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan Pledge' to all participants, emphasizing a shared vision between society and the government for a 'Drug-Free Developed India'.