SoochnaSeva Project is a joint initiative of Digital Empowerment Foundation & European Union initiated with an aim of improving access to information of public schemes in backward districts of India. It involves setting up 1200 public scheme information delivery and access points (PanchayatSoochnaSevaKendras) for final gains in entitlements in identified 5 backward districts in six key areas of- education, health, livelihood, employment, financial inclusion and social security during next five years. Apart from setting up the 1200 public scheme information delivery and access points (PanchayatSoochnaSevaKendras), it will also include a “SoochnaVahan (Information Van)” that will also disseminate information about the Public Schemes. Beneficiaries will be chosen as per backwardness and undeserved nature of the group and communities.

Objective:

The prime objective of the program is to address the larger issue of poverty, social exclusion and inequity of marginalized groups through information empowerment on public schemes towards entitlement gains and thereby promoting and strengthening good governance practice by local administration. This will lead to improve access of public scheme information in complete life cycle (information access and gains in government entitlements) in identified areas

Target Group:

• 50000 BPL Families in 5 Backward Districts – 10000 families Scheduled Tribes, 10000 families Scheduled Castes, 10000 minorities, OBCs (Other Backward Classes) and others and 20000 families from the general social segments who are socially and economically poorer.
• 100,000 total beneficiaries: 50000 BPL families will be covered under the education, health, livelihood, employment and financial inclusion access schemes. At least 2 individuals per household shall be covered. At least 40000 women and girls shall be covered in health and livelihood access programmes especially child and maternal health care
• 150000 Households from poor social and income groups in 5 backward districts –Additionally the proposed action will try and reach out to another 150000 households and provide public scheme information services and entitlement benefits to another 300000 beneficiaries (2 per household) during project period and through 1200 service points

Estimated Results:

• A total number of 6500 (approx.) beneficiaries have been availed the schemes, namely Jan DhanYojana, Old Age Pension, Widow pension, Kisan Credit Card etc.