Haryana Government has organised 166 Antyodaya Melas, connecting over 55,000 beneficiaries with livelihood opportunities under Chief Minister Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana
Chandigarh | Pen of Democracy News Desk
Describing the Antyodaya Melas as platforms that transform lives through opportunity and empowerment, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday said the state government is committed to ensuring that the benefits of development reach every deserving family, particularly those who remained neglected for decades.
Addressing a large gathering after inaugurating an Antyodaya Mela organised by the district administration at IGN College, Ladwa, under the Chief Minister Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana (CM-APUY), the Chief Minister said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to the philosophy of Antyodaya—uplifting the last person standing in society.
Before addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister visited stalls set up by various government departments and reviewed the services and welfare schemes being offered to beneficiaries. During the event, he also handed over an approval letter under the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme to beneficiary Tarachand, a resident of Gobindpura village.
Calling the Antyodaya Melas “fairs of hope, opportunities and self-reliance,” Saini said the government has created a unique platform where 19 departments are providing benefits under 47 welfare schemes directly to eligible citizens.
“The objective of these melas is to take the government to the people instead of expecting poor and needy families to repeatedly visit government offices. Every scheme, every resource and every effort of the government is dedicated to the welfare of the person standing at the last mile,” the Chief Minister said.
He emphasised that Antyodaya is not merely a government programme but a cultural philosophy rooted in India’s values, inspired by the vision of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, who believed that true development is meaningful only when its benefits reach the last household and are experienced by the last individual.
“The double-engine government is translating this philosophy into reality. No poor family will be left behind, no deserving citizen will be deprived of opportunities and no one will be denied progress due to lack of resources, information or access,” he said.
According to the Chief Minister, governance is not limited to administrative procedures but is about understanding people’s problems, simplifying solutions and delivering government services directly to beneficiaries.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini addressing the gathering during the Antyodaya Mela organised at Ladwa, Kurukshetra.
Focus on Sustainable Livelihoods:
Saini said the Chief Minister Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana goes beyond providing financial assistance. Its primary objective is to connect economically weaker families with sustainable livelihood opportunities through self-employment, skill development, employment generation, financial inclusion and social welfare programmes.
He explained that instead of simply accepting applications, officials assess each beneficiary’s skills, interests, capabilities and financial needs before guiding them towards the most suitable government scheme.
“This approach ensures that every family receives meaningful support that can improve its long-term economic condition rather than temporary assistance,” he added.
166 Antyodaya Melas Organised Across Haryana:
Highlighting the achievements of the programme, the Chief Minister said the first phase of the initiative has produced encouraging results.
He informed that 166 Antyodaya Melas have so far been organised across Haryana. Around 4.24 lakh families were invited to participate, while 1.88 lakh families attended these outreach events. Of these, 1.52 lakh families were referred to different government departments for further assistance, and 55,422 eligible beneficiaries have already been connected with livelihood opportunities under various schemes.
He described these figures as evidence of the government’s commitment to ensuring inclusive development and economic empowerment at the grassroots level.
40 Lakh BPL Cards Generated Automatically:
Speaking about technology-driven governance, Saini said Haryana has linked all major welfare schemes and public services with the Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) system.
He stated that nearly 40 lakh Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards have been generated automatically through the system, enabling eligible families to access welfare benefits without unnecessary paperwork or repeated visits to government offices.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the state’s healthcare initiatives, stating that under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and the Chirayu Haryana Scheme, eligible families receive cashless medical treatment up to ₹5 lakh.
He informed that nearly 30 lakh beneficiaries have received free medical treatment worth ₹4,314 crore under these schemes. Additionally, free dialysis services are now available in all government hospitals and medical colleges for patients suffering from kidney diseases.
Support for Women and Poor Families:
Highlighting welfare initiatives for women, the Chief Minister said the Chief Minister Vivah Shagun Yojana provides financial assistance of up to ₹71,000 for the marriage of daughters belonging to economically weaker Scheduled Caste families.
He informed that the government has so far disbursed approximately ₹1,523 crore to support the marriages of 3.85 lakh daughters across the state.
The Chief Minister also referred to the state’s subsidised LPG initiative, under which nearly 14.43 lakh families are receiving cooking gas cylinders at a subsidised price of ₹500 per month, helping reduce the financial burden on poor households.
Concluding his address, Saini reiterated that the Haryana Government remains committed to ensuring that every welfare scheme reaches its intended beneficiaries through transparency, technology and efficient governance. He urged eligible families to actively participate in Antyodaya Melas and take advantage of the wide range of government schemes designed to promote dignity, self-reliance and inclusive growth.
The event was attended by former Minister of State Subhash Sudha, Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena, Superintendent of Police Chandra Mohan, Additional Deputy Commissioner Vivek Arya, SDM Anubhav Mehta, Chairman Subhash Kalsana, senior BJP leader Jaibhagwan Sharma DD, Chairman Gurnam Saini, Chairman Ravindra Sangwan, District BJP President Ramesh Saini, Chairperson Sakshi Khurana, Chairman Dr Ganesh Dutt, Satish Mathana, and several senior administrative officials and public representatives.
