Hon’ble MoS Shri Ramdas Athawale reviews Social Welfare Initiatives, Stresses Inclusive Development During Ladakh Visit.

Hon’ble MoS Shri Ramdas Athawale reviews Social Welfare Initiatives, Stresses Inclusive Development During Ladakh Visit.
Leh, July 5, 2026: Hon’ble Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, Shri Ramdas Athawale, arrived in Ladakh on an official visit today and was accorded a warm traditional welcome with Daman and Surna, reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritage.
On his arrival at Zen Hotel, the Minister was received by Secretary, Social and Tribal Welfare, Ms. Nidhi Malik, Director, Social and Tribal Affairs, and other senior officers of the department.
As part of his visit, the Minister chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Department of Social and Tribal Affairs to assess the implementation, progress and impact of various social welfare programmes and flagship initiatives being implemented across the Union Territory. The meeting focused on strengthening welfare delivery mechanisms, ensuring effective implementation of centrally sponsored schemes and addressing key challenges in the social welfare sector.
During the meeting, the Director, Social and Tribal Affairs, made a detailed presentation highlighting the status of major schemes and programmes, including the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), SMILE Scheme, NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem), the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) initiatives, the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The presentation also covered the department’s action plan, utilisation of funds, and the progress of welfare interventions aimed at vulnerable sections of society.
Reviewing the implementation of these initiatives, Shri Athawale sought detailed updates on the functioning of old age homes in Leh and Kargil under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana and emphasised the need to ensure quality care and dignity for senior citizens. He also reviewed the demographic profile of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Ladakh, the number of pension beneficiaries, and the overall outreach of social security schemes across the Union Territory.
The Minister further examined the progress of assistive device distribution through ALIMCO and stressed the importance of ensuring timely availability of wheelchairs and other assistive aids to persons with disabilities. He also reviewed the status of the District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs) in Leh and Kargil, including issues related to staff salaries, operational requirements and measures for strengthening drug demand reduction programmes in the region.
Emphasising the need for a robust and responsive social welfare system, Shri Athawale directed the department to strengthen institutional infrastructure, enhance manpower, ensure effective implementation of welfare schemes in the newly created districts and maintain close monitoring of programme outcomes. He underscored the importance of delivering welfare benefits efficiently so that every eligible beneficiary, particularly those belonging to vulnerable and marginalised communities, receives timely support.
The meeting was attended by Secretary, Social and Tribal Welfare, Ms. Nidhi Malik, Director, Social and Tribal Affairs, the Chief Welfare and Probation Officer, senior officers and officials of the department, who deliberated on strategies to further strengthen the social welfare framework in the Union Territory.
Thanks & Regards,
Department of Information & Public Relations,
UT Ladakh

8 Attachments
• Scanned by Gmail