J&K proposes enumeration of vulnerable households for welfare targeting

Jammu and Kashmir has proposed a household-level enumeration of vulnerable families to find multidimensional deprivations and improve how welfare schemes are targeted. The plan came up at a meeting chaired by Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisor to Chief Minister.

At this stage the survey will cover only Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and people who get the old-age pension in Jammu and Kashmir under NSAP and ISSS. Other households stay out of its scope for now.

The survey will record deprivation across the three MPI dimensions of health, education and living standards. It will also gather details on nutrition, healthcare, drinking water, electricity and connectivity, and check access to welfare schemes and essential services.

The review noted that the Jammu and Kashmir headcount ratio fell from 12.56% in 2015-16 to 4.80% in 2019-21, and the MPI score dropped from 0.055 to 0.020. The national headcount ratio went down from 24.8% to 14.96% in the same period, as per the National MPI progress review of NITI Aayog.

Methodology, lists of eligible households, manpower, digital data collection and cost estimates will be finalised before the enumeration starts, subject to approvals and funds. The Chief Secretary, Commissioner Secretaries of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Medical Education and School Education, and Secretaries of PD&MD, IT and Social Welfare attended the meeting.