CS reviews impact of financial inclusion, social security schemes in J&K

Srinagar: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting attended by Deputy Commissioners and senior officials to evaluate the progress of financial inclusion and social security schemes in Jammu and Kashmir. Key attendees included the Principal Secretary of Finance, Commissioner Secretary of the Social Welfare Department, and the Managing Director of J&K Bank, among others, who participated via video conferencing.
The meeting focused on flagship initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), and various welfare schemes for construction workers, marriage assistance, and pensions for the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities. The Chief Secretary highlighted the necessity of assessing the impact of these schemes at the ground level and urged departments and J&K Bank to enhance their outreach across all districts. He called for a detailed analysis of unique bank accounts to ensure comprehensive coverage of eligible beneficiaries. Significant achievements were reported, including the addition of nearly 1.9 lakh new accounts under PMJDY since March 2025, bringing the total to 23.33 lakh active accounts. Efforts to rationalize accounts have also been made to eliminate duplicates and convert zero-balance accounts into savings accounts. The PMSBY scheme has seen a remarkable 180% growth in registrations over the past five years, now covering 24.64 lakh beneficiaries. Similarly, the PMJJBY has experienced a 155% increase in enrollments, totaling around 10 lakh insured individuals. The APY has shown the most substantial growth, with a 219% rise in subscriptions, reaching 2.71 lakh subscribers eligible for pensions ranging from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000 monthly after age 60. Under the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare schemes, registered workers have increased by 9%, now representing 2.6% of J&K’s total population according to the 2011 Census. In terms of social welfare, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) is currently benefiting 7.26 lakh senior citizens under the Old Age Pension scheme, 1.59 lakh persons with disabilities, approximately 1 lakh widows/divorcees, 1.45 lakh individuals under Marriage Assistance, and 1.90 lakh girls through the Ladli Beti scheme. The Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of ongoing efforts from all stakeholders to maximize coverage, raise awareness, and ensure timely delivery of benefits to deserving citizens.