Srinagar, Oct 22 (KNS): Only 28 of the 419 villages selected for development as model villages under the Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY) in Jammu and Kashmir have so far been declared Adarsh Grams, according to figures presented during a high-level review of social welfare schemes on Thursday.

The figures show that approximately 6.7 per cent of the selected villages have achieved the designated status, while 391 villages are yet to be declared Adarsh Grams.

The progress was reviewed at a meeting jointly chaired by Union Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Sudhansh Pant, and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo.

According to the Social Welfare Department, 81 development works have been completed under the programme during the current financial year, 2026–27. The meeting also examined funding requirements for completing subsequent phases.

The department reported utilisation of Rs 496.59 lakh under the Grants-in-Aid component of PM-AJAY for basic infrastructure, skill development and income-generating assets.

The review also brought out figures relating to drug abuse, rehabilitation, scholarships, sanitation workers and welfare measures for vulnerable sections.

Under the Nasha Mukt J&K 100 Days Abhiyan, addiction treatment facilities reported handling 66,594 outpatients, while government-supported drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres provided care to 1,053 individuals.

The department also reported more than 7.21 million outreach events under the campaign, although the statement did not provide a district-wise breakdown or clarify how these events were counted.

On the enforcement side, police registered 1,187 FIRs and arrested 1,349 persons in drug-related cases.

Financial investigations resulted in the seizure or attachment of 125 immovable properties valued at Rs 98.28 crore and 60 movable assets worth Rs 7.04 crore, taking the combined reported value to approximately Rs 105.32 crore.

The meeting was informed about a proposed Rehabilitation and Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims, 2026, envisaging a structured three-year recovery framework.

Dr Arshad Hussain, Head of Psychiatry at Government Medical College Srinagar, outlined the 'Circle of Care' approach, covering treatment, rehabilitation, social reintegration and long-term monitoring of people affected by substance use disorders.

In the education sector, the department reported receiving 20,611 applications against a target of 24,817 under the PM-YASASVI scholarship scheme for the 2026–27 academic year as of October 15.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

This represents approximately 83 per cent of the target, leaving a gap of 4,206 applications.

Under scholarship schemes for Scheduled Caste students, 5,613 post-matric and 2,866 pre-matric applications had been submitted through the National Scholarship Portal.

The meeting was informed that special drives and individual follow-ups were underway to address pending cases and Aadhaar-seeding requirements.

The review also examined working conditions and welfare measures for sanitation workers.

Under the NAMASTE scheme, 741 sewer and septic tank workers had been profiled across 74 urban local bodies, of whom 734 had been validated.

Similarly, 5,862 urban waste pickers had been profiled, but only 4,508 had been validated, leaving 1,354 awaiting validation.

The department reported distributing 721 personal protective equipment kits to sewer and septic tank workers and 3,854 kits to waste pickers.

In the senior citizen welfare sector, 17 homes were reported operational across Jammu and Kashmir, including eight in Jammu division and nine in Kashmir division. These facilities accommodate around 450 senior citizens.

Under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and related safeguards, the department reported that 63 of 66 grievances registered on the SAMBAL 2.0 portal had been resolved.

Relief amounting to Rs 58.60 lakh had been disbursed through direct benefit transfers to 50 victims of atrocities between 2022 and 2026.

The administration also raised concerns over the pending central financial share for certain OBC hostel projects, saying the delay had affected their completion.

It sought the Union Ministry's intervention for the release of funds.

During the meeting, Union Secretary Sudhansh Pant appreciated Jammu and Kashmir's grassroots welfare outreach and coordinated approach to tackling drug abuse.

He called for rehabilitation measures aimed at achieving 'Begging-Free City' status in urban centres and stressed the importance of support for vulnerable groups.

Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo said the administration was committed to ensuring that all eligible beneficiaries received the benefits of welfare schemes.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Home, Education, Health and Social Welfare departments, besides representatives of other concerned institutions. (KNS)