Athawale’s visit & Inside story of Assam Govt.

Due to the apathy of a few officials, thousands of persons with disability from Assam are still deprived of the monthly stipend given under the Deendayal Divyangjan Pension scheme.

The report said that a total of Rs 29,54,16,000 under the Pension scheme remains pending at the treasury.

| What is the Government of Assam doing for the 'Divyangans'?

In the first phase, the scheme covered 1,11,115 beneficiaries and 24,617 in the second phase.

During a review meeting of the Union Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry here in Guwahati, the Assam Government officials allegedly failed to provide data and records regarding the progress of implementation of various flagship programmes under the mentioned ministry.

The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale.

Addressing a press conference after the review meeting, Athawale said the union government sanctioned an amount to the tune of Rs 4,187 crore to Assam in 2018 under the Mudra Yojana.

"When I asked the officials for the number of beneficiaries; the officials were unable to give it," he added.

Regarding allegation raised by Divyangs of the State about not receiving pension for the past several months, Athawale maintained that the money was being sent from his ministry's end.

"10.88 lakh LPG connections were provided under Ujjwala Yojana in 2018-19 and 10.65 lakh in 2017-18." : Athawale claimed.

A total of 1,48,71,000 Jan Dhan Accounts have been opened in Assam. But figures about the target and whether those achieved were not provided to the Union Minister.

Athawale informed that against the target of 8.50 lakh houses by 2022, five lakh houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana have already been provided or are at different levels of approval.

He said monthly pension of Rs 1,000 to 1.39 lakh Divyangs (specially-abled people) of the State is being paid by the Centre.