Gujarat Govt to set up state-level PMU for effective implementation of PM-AJAY scheme

Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], August 18 : In a major push for the socio-economic development and empowerment of Scheduled Caste communities, the Government of Gujarat has decided to establish a State-Level Project Management Unit (PMU) for the effective implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY).
Along with the implementation of the scheme, this PMU will play an important role in making its monitoring, coordination and evaluation more systematic and effective.
According to the Gujarat Chief Minister (CMO), under the guidelines recently issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, the State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has taken prompt action and decided to establish a State-Level PMU and constitute a high-level committee for the same.
As per the guidelines of the Central Government, the State-Level PMU will include a State Social Justice Lead and State Social Justice Coordinators.
Under the guidance and leadership of Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Pradyuman Vaja and Minister of State Manisha Vakil, the department, as per the guidelines of the Government of India and the proposal of the Director, Scheduled Caste Welfare Department, issued a resolution on August 6, 2026, for the establishment of the Project Management Unit (PMU) and constitution of a selection committee for the same. This new arrangement, the PMU, will enable regular monitoring of activities undertaken under PM-AJAY, better coordination among departments and systematic evaluation of the progress of the schemes. This will enable the objectives of the scheme to be achieved more effectively.
The release stated that the Government of Gujarat has also approved the constitution of a high-level selection committee for the PMU.
The committee includes senior officials at the Secretary level from the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, the concerned officer of the Scheduled Caste Welfare Department and a representative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The Director of the Scheduled Caste Welfare Department has been entrusted with the responsibility of Member Secretary of the committee. The necessary process related to the selection and appointment of PMU personnel will also be completed under this arrangement.
The implementation of PM-AJAY will benefit Scheduled Caste communities by enabling more effective monitoring of efforts aimed at their socio-economic development and empowerment.
For beneficiaries of the scheme, regular monitoring and evaluation will make government initiatives more systematic, transparent and result-oriented.
For the departmental administrative machinery, the Project Management Unit (PMU) will provide a dedicated state-level mechanism to monitor progress, improve coordination and evaluate activities under the scheme.
At the implementation level, the initiative will help streamline responsibilities and processes, ensure regular monitoring of progress, and facilitate timely corrective measures wherever required.
As per the resolution of the State Government, the recruitment process for the PMU, number of personnel, educational qualifications, experience, honorarium, tenure and service conditions will be in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, on June 16, 2026, as well as amendments made from time to time.
Along with this, the upcoming guidelines and instructions to be issued by the Central Government regarding PM-AJAY will also be followed.
The Government of Gujarat's decision will strengthen the implementation of PM-AJAY and make efforts for the socio-economic development and empowerment of Scheduled Caste communities more effective and result-oriented. The dedicated State-Level PMU will ensure regular monitoring of the scheme's progress and better evaluation of its impact.