Additional Deputy Commissioner Naveen Ahuja inspects departmental stalls during the Antyodaya Mela at Panchayat Bhawan in Yamunanagar
Multi-department outreach under Chief Minister Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana 2.0 promotes self-employment, skill development and financial inclusion
Yamunanagar | Pen of Democracy News Desk
In an effort to strengthen the reach of government welfare programmes and ensure that the benefits of social security and livelihood schemes reach every deserving family, the Haryana Government on Sunday organised an Antyodaya Mela at the Panchayat Bhawan in Yamunanagar under the Chief Minister Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana (CM-APUY) 2.0.
The event brought together several state and central government departments on a single platform, enabling citizens to obtain first-hand information about various welfare initiatives, employment opportunities, financial assistance programmes and self-employment schemes. Beneficiaries also received guidance regarding eligibility, documentation and application procedures, making the process more accessible and transparent.
The Antyodaya Mela was aimed at empowering economically weaker families by connecting them directly with government services and ensuring that no eligible beneficiary is left out due to lack of awareness or procedural hurdles.
Among the major participants was the Haryana Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation, which informed Scheduled Caste families living below the poverty line (BPL) about its loan assistance and entrepreneurship schemes. Officials explained how financial support offered by the corporation could help beneficiaries establish small businesses, generate employment and improve their economic condition.
The Haryana Skill Development Corporation (HSDC) also set up an information counter where officials educated visitors about the Surya Yojana, the Chief Minister Skill Development Scheme and several vocational training programmes. Young job seekers were encouraged to enrol in industry-oriented skill courses designed to improve employability and create better career opportunities in both the public and private sectors.
Another major attraction of the mela was the information provided under the Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme. Officials explained the availability of micro-credit facilities for street vendors and informed beneficiaries that the restructured PM SVANidhi scheme has been extended from December 31, 2024, to March 31, 2030, allowing eligible vendors to continue receiving financial assistance for expanding their businesses.
The Department of Fisheries also participated actively by creating awareness about various subsidy and financial assistance schemes available for eligible Scheduled Caste beneficiaries interested in fish farming. Officials highlighted fisheries as an emerging source of sustainable income and encouraged rural youth to explore entrepreneurship in the sector.
Several other departments, including the Employment Department, Haryana Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections Welfare Corporation, Haryana Agro Industries Corporation Limited, Development and Panchayats Department, Rural Development Department, and the Haryana State Rural Livelihood Mission (HSRLM), established dedicated stalls to provide information on their respective schemes. Officials answered queries, assisted beneficiaries with application procedures and guided them on availing government support.
During the programme, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Naveen Ahuja visited the various departmental stalls and reviewed the services being provided to beneficiaries. Interacting with departmental representatives, he sought detailed information regarding the implementation of different schemes and directed officials to ensure that all eligible citizens receive benefits in a timely, transparent and citizen-friendly manner.
The ADC said the objective of the Antyodaya Mela is to bring government services closer to the people and ensure that welfare schemes reach the poorest and most deserving families without unnecessary delays. He stressed that the Haryana Government remains committed to improving the socio-economic conditions of Antyodaya families by promoting employment, self-reliance, entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.
He further appealed to citizens to actively participate in such public outreach programmes and make full use of the welfare initiatives launched by both the Central and State Governments. According to him, awareness plays a crucial role in ensuring that deserving families receive the benefits intended for them.
Officials present at the mela also interacted with beneficiaries individually, helping them understand various schemes and encouraging them to take advantage of opportunities available for skill enhancement, self-employment and livelihood generation. The integrated approach adopted during the event enabled visitors to access information from multiple departments at one location, reducing the need to visit different government offices separately.
The Antyodaya Mela reflected the Haryana Government’s continued focus on inclusive development, last-mile service delivery and economic empowerment of vulnerable families. By bringing welfare schemes directly to citizens, the administration aims to strengthen social security, create employment opportunities and promote sustainable livelihoods across the district.
The programme was attended by Zila Parishad Chairman Ramesh Thaska, Zila Parishad Executive Officer Sushil Kumar, Deputy Executive Officer Jaswinder Singh, District Employment Officer Arun Kumar, District Project Manager Balinder Kataria, AMC Dheeraj Singh from the Social Welfare Department, along with officials and employees from various government departments.
