PMAJAY-AG

The scheme aims to achieve integrated development of selected villages primarily through implementation of existing Central and State Government schemes in a convergent manner, ensuring access to quality services and infrastructure development in villages having SC population more than 40%.

The scheme "Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY)" was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The component "Development of Scheduled Caste dominated villages into Adarsh Gram" aims to achieve integrated development of selected villages primarily through implementation of existing Central and State Government schemes in a convergent manner, ensuring access to quality services and infrastructure development in villages having Scheduled Caste population more than 40% and total population ≥ 500. The scheme provides Gap-filling funding of ₹20,00,000/- per village for infrastructure development and administrative expenses of ₹1,00,000/- per village for capacity building, awareness generation, need assessment, and Village Development Plan preparation. The scheme focuses on saturating 50 socio-economic developmental monitorable indicators across 10 domains including drinking water and sanitation, education, health and nutrition, social security, rural roads and housing, electricity and clean fuel, agricultural practices, financial inclusion, digitization, and livelihood and skill development.

• The village must have more than 40% Scheduled Caste population as per the latest available Census data.

• The village must have total population ≥ 500 as per the latest available Census data.
• The village must be willing to participate in convergence implementation with other Central and State Government schemes.
• The village must constitute Village Level Convergence Committee headed by Sarpanch or Pradhan of the village.
• The village must complete Need Assessment exercise for all 50 monitorable indicators across 10 developmental domains.
• The village must prepare comprehensive Village Development Plan through online portal https://pmagy.gov.in.
• The village must obtain approval of Village Development Plan from Gram Sabha.
• The village must get Village Development Plan approved by District Level Project Appraisal cum Convergence Committee.
• The village should commit to utilize Gap-filling funds within 2 years from date of release.
• The village should agree to continue convergent implementation for additional 3 years after fund utilization period.

Selection Process

Villages will be selected in descending order of their Scheduled Caste population percentage.

Priority

Villages having less than or equal to 40% Scheduled Caste population but overall high number of persons belonging to Scheduled Castes shall be taken up after covering eligible villages with more than 40% Scheduled Caste population.

• Gap-filling Fund: ₹20,00,000/- per newly selected village for carrying out infrastructure developmental requirements which cannot be carried out through convergence with other schemes.- Administrative Expenses: ₹1,00,000/- per village for technical resource support, training and capacity building, awareness generation, publicity, and Management Information System development and maintenance.- Additional Round Funding: ₹9,50,000/- per village for Gap-filling component and ₹50,000/- for administrative expenses after completion of 5 years for continuous development.- Convergence Support: Access to 3 to 4 times of Gap-filling funds from existing Central and State Schemes or matching grants from State Governments.- Infrastructure Development: Development of adequate infrastructure necessary for socio-economic development including drinking water, sanitation, education, health, rural roads, housing, electricity facilities.- Capacity Building: Training and orientation programs for Village Level Convergence Committee members and other functionaries.

##### Disbursement

• Direct transfer to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, then to District Administrations.
• Released in two installments - First installment (₹80,000/- or ₹40,000/- as applicable) immediately on selection of villages; Second installment (₹20,00,000/- or ₹9,50,000/- as applicable) after Village Development Plan finalization.
• Administrative expenses released at beginning of financial year; Gap-filling funds released after Village Development Plan approval.
• Gap-filling funds to be utilized within 2 years from date of release; convergent implementation continues for additional 3 years.

##### Conditions

• _Villages must maintain Open Defecation Free status and achieve score of 70 or above on monitorable indicators for declaration as Adarsh Gram._
• _Village Level Convergence Committee must conduct Need Assessment, data collection, gap analysis and prepare Village Development Plan in online mode._
• _Village Development Plan must be approved by Gram Sabha and District Level Convergence Committee._
• _State Governments and Union Territory Administrations must ensure convergence of at least 3 to 4 times of Gap-filling funds from other schemes._
• _Monthly progress reporting on fulfilling infrastructure and individual needs through prescribed formats._
• _Social audit by Gram Sabha at least once a year for transparency and better utilization._
• _Real-time updating of progress in centralized Management Information System portal._
• _Submission of utilization certificates in prescribed formats as per General Financial Rules 2017._

• Villages not meeting minimum Scheduled Caste population criteria of 40% or total population criteria of 500 are not eligible.
• Villages unwilling to participate in convergence implementation are excluded.
• Villages unable to constitute Village Level Convergence Committee are not eligible.