Context:
Central Advisory Committee meeting held for PM-AJAY
PM AJAY:
- Scheme aiming for the welfare of Scheduled Caste communities
- Ministry – Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- Type – Centrally Sponsored Scheme
- Launch Year – 2021-22
- Merged scheme of 3 Centrally Sponsored Schemes – Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP), and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY).
- Objectives –
- Reduce poverty among Scheduled Caste (SC) communities by creating additional employment opportunities.
- Enhance socio-economic development indicators in SC-dominated villages.
- Boost literacy rates and encourage the enrollment of SCs in schools and higher educational institutions.
- Eligibility Criteria –
- Scheduled Castes persons living below the poverty lines
- In case of Infrastructure Development, the villages having 50% or more SC population are eligible for grants under the Scheme.
- Components –
- Development of SC-dominated villages into “Adarsh Gram”.
- Grants-in-aid to States/Districts for socio-economic betterment of SCs.
- Construction/Repair of educational hostels for SC students
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgments that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India would be limited by Article 335 for maintenance of efficiency of administration.
Statement-II: Article 335 of the Constitution of India defines the term ‘efficiency of administration’
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Constitution mentions the term ‘efficiency of administration’ but does not define it.