Page 3 - Welfare Schemes

Nearly Rs 1 trillion unspent welfare funds lying in states' accounts

For each scheme, the state government designates one SNA and opens its account in a scheduled commercial bank to ensure just-in-time release of funds based on the pace of expenditure

Welfare schemes and rural jobs fuel labour crisis, say industry executives

Vimal Kejriwal, managing director and CEO of KEC International, in a recent call with analysts, noted that labourers earlier worked at a site for close to a year before availing their annual leave

Ain't we creating a 'class of parasites' by political freebies, asks SC

Says due to these benefits, people are not willing to work

Welfare scheme benefits causing labour shortages in construction: L&T MD

Addressing the CII Mystic South Global Linkages Summit, L&T's MD noted that despite the crucial role of construction in national development, the industry is struggling due to a lack of workforce

Ladki Bahin scheme to continue in Maharashtra without interruption: Shinde

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said the Ladki Bahin scheme will continue without interruption, reaffirming the Mahayuti government's commitment to the welfare of women. The Ladki Bahin scheme is widely credited to have contributed to the BJP-led coalition's big win in the state assembly polls in November 2024. Women are provided a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 under the scheme. The Shiv Sena headed by Shinde and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP are constituents of the ruling Mahayuti. Addressing a gathering at an event in Thane city on Monday night, Shinde said, "The Mahayuti government would never allow the Ladki Bahin scheme to be discontinued." He reiterated the government's commitment to social welfare programmes. "Our responsibility has increased as we have been given another chance to serve the people," said Shinde, who holds charge of the housing and urban development departments. He addressed concerns related to pending housing projects across Mumbai, Thane,

Centre forms panels to design social security model for unorganised workers

The decision was taken as the two-day labour ministers' conference with all states and Union Territories (UTs) concluded in the national capital on Thursday

'I am Baniya, will arrange money for all schemes': Arvind Kejriwal

With less than 10 days to go for the Delhi polls, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal underlined his caste during public rallies on Monday, telling voters he is a "Baniya" and knows how to arrange money for welfare scheme he has promised. The former chief minister addressed public meetings at Palam, Matiala and Bijwasan. During his meetings, he talked about his party's governance model, and responded to questions and criticism about the welfare schemes including free electricity, water, education and healthcare. "They ask where the money will come from. I am a Baniya. I know how to manage resources. You do not need to worry. I know the maths and I will arrange it (the money)," he told the 'Jan Sabha' in the Palam constituency. He contrasted his party's approach with that of the BJP. "The AAP is the party for common people, whereas the BJP is a party for rich people," he claimed. The AAP has fielded Joginder Solanki from Palam against the BJP's Kuldeep Solanki and Congress' Mange Ram ...

Welfare schemes alone no guarantee for votes, delivery and finances matter

Beneficiaries of such programmes give credit to central govt, but study finds poor service delivery, financial well-being influence voting pattern, writes ARCHIS MOHAN

Focus on women-centric schemes dominates Delhi poll campaign amid concerns

Ahead of Delhi Assembly Elections, experts have highlighted the growing focus on women-centric schemes signalling a deeper acknowledgment of women's critical role in shaping electoral outcomes. However, experts have also raised concerns about the sustainability and long-term consequences of relying on populist measures to secure their support. With women accounting for nearly half of Delhi's electorate, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Congress have prioritized women-focused promises in their campaigns. The BJP's Mahila Samridhi Yojana pledges Rs 2,500 per month to women voters, along with a Rs 21,000 maternity benefit and a Rs 500 subsidy on LPG cylinders. Similarly, AAP has promised Rs 2,100 per month for women, while Congress has floated its 'Pyari Didi Yojana' with Rs 2,500 monthly cash transfers. While these announcements align with a broader trend in Indian politics, reflected in schemes like Madhya Pradesh's 'Ladli Behna Yojana' and Maharashtra'

Around 10,000 special guests attend R-Day parade including ASHA workers

Village sarpanches, disaster relief workers, ASHA workers and Paralympic athletes were among around 10,000 special guests who attended the Republic Day parade here at Kartavya Path on Sunday. The invitation was sent to the special guests from diverse fields in line with the government's objective to increase 'Jan Bhagidari' in events of national importance. These included people who made the best use of government schemes. Sarpanches whose villages achieved targets in selected government initiatives were invited. A national-level competition was announced by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances among panchayats. Sarpanches, under whom targets in at least six flagship schemes were achieved, were selected as special guests. Over 500 of them from top-performing villages were among the special guests. Around 300 disaster relief workers, 300 guests from vibrant villages, 400 water warriors, 200 representatives from Primary Agriculture Credit (PAC) Societies, 400

Answering queries on welfare schemes is bulk of govt fact-check unit's work

Queries on government jobs or recruitment examinations also on the minds of people

Delhi WCD launches district-wise drive to trace Ladli Yojana beneficiaries

The Delhi Women and Child Development Department has initiated a district-wise drive to identify Ladli Yojana beneficiaries who have not claimed their entitled payments. Launched on January 1, 2008, to empower girl children born in Delhi, the Ladli Yojana provides financial assistance in the form of term deposits: Rs 11,000 for hospital births, Rs 10,000 for home births, and Rs 5,000 each at key milestones -- enrolment in classes one, two, six, nine, and 10. A WCD official said around 1.86 lakh beneficiaries have not claimed the benefits under the scheme, while 1.66 lakh have either failed to renew their applications or dropped out of school. The official said many children change districts for schooling but do not renew their registration under the scheme, often due to a lack of awareness. Others discontinue their education midway, further complicating the renewal process. "To address this, officials overseeing the scheme in Delhi's 11 districts have been instructed to prepare ann

Govt approves 56 new watershed development projects worth Rs 700 crore

The Rural Development Ministry has approved 56 new Watershed Development Projects that will be undertaken at a cost of Rs 700 crores in the ten best-performing states, the government said on Monday. In a statement issued here, the ministry said the projects will be undertaken in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim. "Department of Land Resources announces sanction of 56 new Watershed Development Projects at a cost of Rs 700 crores under the ongoing scheme of PMKSY-WDC 2.0 in the 10 best-performing states...," the ministry said. "Each project will approximately have an area of 5,000 hectares, but in hill states, it may be lesser. The initiative prioritises visible field impacts by allocating Rs 700 crore to cover approximately 2.8 lakh hectares, ensuring timely recovery of degraded land and efficient utilisation of funds," the statement said. "These projects would further help in increasing the income of

Supreme Court calls out states for freebies while judges face pay delays

The top court noted the contradiction of neglecting judges' salaries, while making large election promises

'Pyari Didi' scheme in Delhi on lines of Gruhalakshmi: DK Shivakumar

Shivakumar said that the Gruhalakshmi scheme has brought a significant socio-economic change in poor and middle-class families

Cong unveils 'Pyari Didi' scheme, promises Rs 2,500 a month to Delhi women

The Congress on Monday announced a 'Pyari Didi Yojana', promising a monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 to women if voted to power in Delhi. The scheme would be rolled out on the lines of the model adopted by the Congress government in Karnataka. Announcing the scheme, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said it aims to financially empower women, promising that it would be implemented at the first Cabinet meeting of the new government. "Today, I have come here to launch the Pyari Didi Yojana. We are confident that a Congress government will be formed in Delhi, and on the first day of the new Cabinet, we will implement the scheme to provide Rs 2,500 to every woman in the capital," Shivakumar said. Elections to the 70-member Delhi Assembly are due in February. Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav, the party's Delhi in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin, and other senior leaders were present during the announcement.

PM Modi promises no welfare schemes will end if BJP wins in Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the AAP government in Delhi of wasting a decade fighting with the Centre and urged the people of the national capital to give the BJP an opportunity to turn it into a city of the future. The prime minister also assured that no public welfare scheme would be discontinued if the BJP assumed power but the party's government would weed out the corruption in their implementation. Addressing a rally in the Rohini area, Modi dubbed the AAP government a "disaster" that had struck Delhi and asserted the BJP would usher in change. "Only when this 'aapda (disaster)' is gotten rid of in Delhi, the double-engine of development will come in," Modi said. The prime minister said the Centre had been developing highways in Delhi, expanding the Metro network, starting the Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System, and running big hospitals. "However, the moment you step out of a Metro station, you can see potholed roads, overflowing sewers. Some areas a

Suvendu Adhikari accuses TMC of 'ration scam', urges ED to launch probe

Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal assembly and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday targeted the Trinamool Congress-led West Bengal government, alleging scam in the ration distribution.Launching an attack in a post on X, he said that the multi-crore ration distribution "scam" is still going on in West Bengal despite the arrest of former Food and Supplies Minister Jyotipriya Mallick and his aides.He claimed that the rice meant to be distributed through the Public Distribution System (PDS) is sent to privately owned rice mills and further polished to sell in the open market.He shared a video of a rice mill, which he alleged was polishing the rice meant to be distributed through the Public Distribution System (PDS)."This video illustrates how the multi-crore Ration Distribution Scam is still going on in West Bengal despite the arrest of former Food & Supplies Minister Jyotipriya Mallick and his aides," Adikari wrote in his X post."First of all, tonnes of rice meant to .

'BJP pressuring officers': Atishi after AAP's schemes called 'non-existent'

Delhi's women welfare and health departments issued public notices warning against registrations for the proposed 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana' and 'Sanjeevani Yojana'

Delhi polls: Kejriwal aids women, elderly in welfare schemes registration

Ahead of the assembly elections in Delhi, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Monday helped women and the elderly to register for the 'Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana' and the 'Sanjeevani Yojana,' respectively. The former chief minister had on Sunday said the beneficiaries didn't have to go anywhere. "Our volunteers will come to your homes and complete the registration process." In its budget for the 2024-25 fiscal, the Delhi government had announced a scheme to provide Rs 1,000 per month to all adult women. However, Kejriwal recently announced that the amount would be raised to Rs 2,100 if his party returned to power for a third consecutive term after the assembly elections, due in February. He had also announced a scheme to provide free treatment to people aged 60 and above. The AAP supremo helped the women and the elderly generate one-time passwords (OTPs) required to register and then handed over their 'Kejriwal Kavach' registration cards. Accompanied by Delhi Chief Minister At