Srinagar, Sep 17 (KNO): Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting with Deputy Commissioners and senior officers to assess the progress and impact of major financial inclusion and social security schemes being implemented across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Finance; Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department; Managing Director, J&K Bank; Director General, Resources; Director General, Planning; Director General, Budget, besides all Deputy Commissioners who participated through video conferencing.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary took stock of key flagship initiatives including Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Schemes, Ladli Beti, Marriage Assistance, Old Age Pension, Widow/Divorce Pension, and Disability Pension schemes.
The Chief Secretary underscored the importance of assessing the ground-level impact of these schemes, directing the concerned departments and J&K Bank to give renewed impetus for their saturation across all districts. He stressed the need to undertake a detailed study of unique bank accounts district-wise to gauge financial penetration vis-à-vis the local population and ensure that eligible beneficiaries are comprehensively identified and covered under the available social security schemes.
The meeting was apprised of significant achievements made in recent years under both financial inclusion and welfare initiatives. It was given out that under the PMJDY, nearly 1.9 lakh new accounts have been added since March 2025, taking the total to 23.33 lakh active accounts. A rationalisation exercise was also undertaken to eliminate duplicate accounts and convert zero-balance accounts into savings accounts, the meeting was informed.
Regarding registrations under the PMSBY, it was given out that the scheme has shown an impressive growth, rising by 180% over the last five years, with the total coverage now at 24.64 lakh beneficiaries.
The PMJJBY scheme, was said, to have witnessed around an increase of 155% in enrollments, bringing the total number of insured beneficiaries to around 10 lakh.
The APY has seen the sharpest rise, with subscriptions registering a 219% jump, reaching 2.71 lakh subscribers who will be eligible for assured pensions ranging from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000 per month after the age of 60.
Under the BOCW Welfare schemes, the number of registered workers has gone up by 9%, with active workers now constituting 2.6% of J&K’s total population (Census 2011).
In terms of social welfare schemes, the meeting was informed that benefits through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) are currently reaching to 7.26 lakh senior citizens under Old Age Pension, 1.59 lakh persons with disabilities, around 1 Lakh widows/divorcees, 1.45 lakh beneficiaries under Marriage Assistance, and 1.90 lakh girls under the Ladli Beti scheme across the Union Territory.
The Chief Secretary emphasized the need for sustained efforts by all stakeholders to maximize coverage, enhance awareness, and ensure timely delivery of benefits to every deserving citizen—(KNO)