Punjab Government launched Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojna (MGSVY)

 Punjab Government has launched Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojna (MGSVY) for the welfare of the downtrodden citizen across the state.

Aim of Scheme :

This scheme is aimed at the inclusive growth of the distressed sections of the society. It will be on the line of Antyodaya principles (Antyodaya’ means rise of the last person) and will be implemented in the state’s rural areas.

Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojna (MGSvy) aims to translate the vision of inclusive development of the State into a reality by ensuring equitable access to benefits of all socio-economic development
schemes for those who have been deprived such benefits. Although a large number of welfare scheme have been going on for years,there are a large number poor and distressed households to whom the benefits of these schemes have not reached. The goal of SVY is to identify such people and ensure that they get due benefits under various government schemes and programmes.

Values :

The basic tenets of MGSVY are as following :

• Adhering to Antyodaya- ensuring the well-being of the poorest and the weakest
• Ensuring that the benefits of the Government schemes reach the poorest of the poor
• Guaranteeing social justice to the poorest and the weakest
• Ensuring gender equality
• Instilling a sense of confidence and hope in the mind of the last man in the queue that his welfare is apriority for the State
• Adhering to the Directive Principles of State Policy as stated in the Constitution of India.

Objectives :

• To trigger the processes which lead to holistic development of all sections of the Society and ensure social justice and equality.
• To improve the standard of living and quality of life of the deprived and distressed sections of the society through -a) Improved basic amenities b).Higher productivity c).Human resource development d).Better livelihood opportunities e).Reduced disparities f).Free and fair access to rights and entitlements g).Wider social mobilization and inclusion. h). Enriched social capital
• Encouraging voluntary organisations, civil society organisations, NRIs and other socially committed persons to contribute voluntarily for welfare of the deprived and distressed sections of the society.

Expected Outcomes :

• Distress mitigation
• Inclusive Growth
• Social Security for each and everysection of the society
• Greater Socio- economic equality
• Integrated development
• Better implementation of the welfare schemes by all line departments
• Optimum utilisation of the existing schemes and programs; ensuring that the benefits reach the needy and the most deserving.

Eligibility Criteria :

For identification of the beneficiaries, the following criteria shall be followed:

• The income of the family should not be more than Rs.60,OOO per year OR the family should not possess more than 2.5 acre of land.
• Beneficiary should ordinarily be a resident of the State.

In keeping with the above criteria, the beneficiaries of MGSVY shall include the following :

• Farmers who have committed suicide because of debt.
• The family whose family members have died and the household expenses are running.
• Family member whose family is suffering from AIDS or cancer-related illnesses.
• Families of martyrs who are going through financial difficulties after being martyred.
• Whose children do not go to school
• Family of freedom fighters
• Homeless family
• People suffering from intoxication
• Families suffering from natural disaster
• Unemployed people over 18 years old
• Orphan, third gender and beggar
• Parents giving birth at home
• Acid sufferers

Analysis :

• Government of Punjab envisions inclusive development of the State by reaching out to all deprived sections of the society and the destitute living in rural areas to ensure that the benefits of all schemes and programmes for socio-economic development reach the poorest of the poor and, as Gandhiji said, "to wipe every tear from every eye".
• Although a large number of welfare scheme have been going on for years, there are a large number poor and distressed households to whom the benefits of these schemes have not reached. The goal of SVY is to identify such people and ensure that they get due benefits under various government schemes and programmes.

By: Harman Sandhu