Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday attended a one-day Antyodaya Mela organized at Panchayat Bhawan in Chandigarh. The event was held under the Mukhya Mantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana 2.0, a state government initiative aimed at eradicating poverty by raising income levels of economically disadvantaged families in Haryana.
Antyodaya Mela: A Platform for Direct Access to Welfare Schemes
Stalls were set up by various government departments to provide eligible beneficiaries with information, on-the-spot application facilities, and access to a wide range of schemes and public services. The mela served as a single-window hub where attendees could learn about and apply for multiple welfare programs without having to visit different offices.
The scheme targets families living below the poverty line or those identified as vulnerable, offering a comprehensive package of interventions including skill development, job placements, and financial assistance. The goal is to ensure sustainable livelihoods and a dignified quality of life for underprivileged households across the state.
Minister’s Address: Making Families Self-Reliant
Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister said the scheme aimed at transforming lives of poor families and strengthening their economic conditions. He emphasized that the initiative sought to make eligible families self-reliant by linking them with self-employment opportunities, skill development programmes, financial assistance, and other welfare schemes.
Khattar visited stalls put up by different departments and reviewed the services being provided to the beneficiaries. He also interacted with a large number of visitors, listening to their needs and suggestions. He noted that effective arrangements had been made to provide eligible beneficiaries with comprehensive information on government schemes, on-the-spot application facilities, and timely delivery of benefits at a single location.
Scheme Details and Expected Impact
The Mukhya Mantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana 2.0 is designed to uplift families with an annual income below a certain threshold. Under the scheme, households receive a customized family development plan that includes access to housing, health insurance, education scholarships, and livelihood support. The first phase of the scheme reportedly covered hundreds of thousands of families across Haryana, and the second phase aims to expand its reach and effectiveness.
Officials at the mela said that the on-the-spot application process helped reduce delays and bureaucratic hurdles. Beneficiaries could apply for schemes related to housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, skill training under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, and financial aid under various state-run programs.
Upcoming Consumer Grievance Hearing in Panchkula
In a related development, an official spokesperson announced that the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, Panchkula, will hold a hearing on July 28 from 11:30 am onwards. The hearing will take place at the office of the Superintending Engineer, Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN), Sector 5, Panchkula.
The forum will hear complaints relating to billing, voltage fluctuations, metering, disconnection and restoration of electricity connections, interruptions in power supply, deficiencies in service, safety, and reliability. However, the spokesperson clarified that the forum will not entertain cases involving penalties for electricity theft or unauthorized use of electricity.
This hearing provides an opportunity for consumers in the region to address grievances directly with the power distribution company, ensuring better service delivery and accountability.
