• Pant praised joint efforts of DOSJE and Assam government team in implementing ministry’s welfare initiatives
  • He stressed continuous inter‑departmental coordination, outreach and convergence for timely resolution of barriers to effective implementation of social welfare programmes for eligible beneficiaries

Central Secretary of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Sudhanshu Pant, reviewed implementation of various welfare schemes of the ministry in Assam today. The review covered drug‑demand reduction, Scheduled Caste development, senior citizen welfare, safety of sanitation workers and rehabilitation of vulnerable groups

The review meeting held in the state capital Guwahati assessed progress of special initiatives and emphasised the need to work together to ensure beneficiaries receive benefits from welfare work

Attendees of the meeting included Additional Secretary of Home and Political Department of Assam, Shri Ajay Tiwari, Secretary of Social Justice & Empowerment Department, Shri Pallav Gopal Jha and senior officials of the state government

During the review meeting, Pant highlighted the importance of a coordinated government commitment to effectively implement social welfare programmes. He stressed that the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment must play an effective coordinating role in bringing together relevant departments and implementing agencies

Pant emphasised the importance of coordination under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMB), Prime Minister’s Scheduled Caste Uday Yojana (PM‑Ajay) and National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (Namaste). He praised Assam’s progress and stressed the need for continuous efforts to address implementation gaps

Reducing demand for narcotics and strengthening rehabilitation

The secretary was informed that under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, awareness and public‑relations activities have been carried out in all districts of Assam, reaching 27.71 lakh people through 6,575 activities in 10,614 educational institutions. The state has registered 13,712 drug‑free friends volunteers and recorded 2,24,783 e‑pledges, showing participation of educational institutions, volunteers and communities in efforts to curb addiction

State officials informed the meeting that Assam has 16 integrated rehabilitation centres for drug‑addicted people and six drug‑free and rehabilitation centres run from the state government’s fund. In addition, there are other treatment and ancillary facilities. These facilities help raise awareness, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration of drug‑addicted people into society

Promoting integrated development and livelihood opportunities

State officials further explained that under PM‑Ajay, 721 Scheduled Caste villages have been taken up for integrated development. In the livelihood segment, 5,269 beneficiaries have been approved, including women linked to self‑help groups (SHG) and women from Scheduled Castes, with a total financial investment of ₹26.34 crore. The scheme also plans to build 28 small stadiums in most Scheduled Caste areas, providing community infrastructure and opportunities for sports and physical activities

The review emphasised the importance of effective implementation and joint work to ensure that development work provides sustainable income opportunities and improves access to essential facilities for Scheduled Caste communities

Promoting safety and respect for sanitation workers

The review also examined implementation of the Namaste scheme, which aims to promote safety, respect and well‑being of sanitation workers through better work methods and mechanisation. In Assam, details of 483 sewer and septic tank workers and 6,365 waste collectors have been prepared for 96 urban local bodies (ULBs)

The programme focuses on safety related to work, personal protective equipment, health coverage and mechanised sanitation methods. The aim is to improve working conditions, reduce work‑related hazards and strengthen adoption of safe sanitation practices

Strengthening senior citizen welfare and rehabilitation of vulnerable groups

The meeting reviewed senior citizen welfare under the Atal Viyog Uday Yojana (AVYAY), measures for protection of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and rehabilitation of beggars under the Smile Scheme

It was reported that under the National Viyog Yojana, 10,715 senior citizens in Assam have been helped, and by 27 October 2026, 48,756 assistive devices were distributed during FY 2026‑27. This initiative makes it easier for senior citizens facing age‑related disability and mobility issues to access assistive devices, improving their freedom and quality of life

Strengthening inter‑departmental coordination and effective implementation

Pant praised efforts of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and the state government team in implementing the ministry’s initiatives. He stressed the need for continuous inter‑departmental coordination, timely resolution of obstacles to reaching eligible beneficiaries and effective implementation

The secretary also emphasised the importance of systematically documenting success stories to showcase the impact of welfare schemes and create greater awareness among eligible beneficiaries, and the need for continuous coordination between central and state governments to strengthen implementation mechanisms and ensure that social welfare schemes benefit people across Assam

These efforts reaffirmed the ministry’s and state government’s commitment to promote social justice, inclusivity and better quality of life for Scheduled Castes, senior citizens, sanitation workers and other vulnerable sections of society