-Natural disasters are beyond human control, relief work underway in Dharali: Union Minister Shri Athawale

-More than 1,650 old-age homes have been built across the country so far, with approximately ₹321 crore spent on them

-“Jinhone hamare behnon ka sindoor mitaya, humne unka hi mita diya” – Shri Athawale on Operation Sindoor

-Shri Athawale spoke on Dalit empowerment, welfare schemes, and disaster relief in Dharali

-More than 1,700 de-addiction centres across the country, crores benefiting from central schemes: Shri Athawale

Dehradun(PIB)Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale today addressed a press conference at Bijapur Guest House, Dehradun. Speaking on the recent developments in Dharali, Uttarkashi, he said that the Central Government is keeping a close watch on the situation. He said that natural disasters are currently beyond human control, but both the Central and State Governments are taking all necessary steps to provide relief to the affected people and to pacify the situation.

The Minister said that incidents of atrocities against Dalits do exist in Uttarakhand, but both the State Government and the Centre are committed to reducing them. He said that with increased awareness among Dalits, they are now approaching the police for justice. He recalled the contribution of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar in the making of the Constitution and said that the 1989 Atrocities Act, which came after the 1955 PCR Act, reduced such incidents by making such cases non-bailable.

Welfare and rehabilitation initiatives

Shri Athawale said that the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan is being implemented in every district of the country. Giving information, he said that more than 1,700 de-addiction centres have been set up across the country so far, on which about ₹345 crore have been spent, and which have the support of hospitals and doctors.

For the welfare of senior citizens, he gave information about the Vriddhashram Yojana, under which there is a provision of about ₹16,000 per home for setting up old-age homes in every district. More than 1,650 old-age homes have been built across the country so far, with approximately ₹321 crore spent on them.

Shri Athawale informed that under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for students, assistance of about ₹15,000 is provided, in which 60% of the funds are given by the Centre and 40% by the State Governments.

Socio-economic statistics

The Union Minister said that the Scheduled Caste population in Uttarakhand is about 19%, Scheduled Tribe about 4%, and OBC about 14%. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, a grant of about ₹1.8 lakh to ₹2.1 lakh is given for building a house.

Major schemes and achievements

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (2014): About 56 crore accounts have been opened across the country, including about 39 lakh accounts in Uttarakhand.

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (2015): Loans worth about ₹3.48 lakh crore have been distributed across the country, including about 34 lakh loans in Uttarakhand.

Ujjwala Yojana: More than 10 crore gas connections have been given across the country, including about 5 lakh connections in Uttarakhand.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural): More than 2 crore 75 lakh rural houses have been built across the country.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban): About 91 lakh urban houses have been completed across the country, including about 39,000 in Uttarakhand.

Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Yojana: Health insurance of ₹5 lakh per family; about 9 crore 62 lakh beneficiaries across the country, including about 15 lakh people from Uttarakhand.

Ujala Yojana: About 36 crore LED bulbs distributed across the country, including about 56 lakh in Uttarakhand.

Economic progress and national security

Shri Athawale praised the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and also appreciated the strong action taken during Operation Sindoor, the surgical strike, and against cross-border terrorism. Quoting in Hindi, he said: “Those who wiped the vermilion of our sisters, we wiped them out.”

The Union Minister Shri Athawale said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India’s economy is progressing rapidly and aims to become the world’s third-largest economy in 15 years. By 2047, India aims to be among the world’s top economies, with growth in FDI and manufacturing through Make in India.