The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, in coordination with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), has initiated an extensive outreach campaign under Mission D-JAY(S) to address the social, occupational, and housing challenges faced by urban poor communities. The initiative has been rolled out across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the support of the Urban Poverty Alleviation Cell and local municipal bodies, marking a significant step toward inclusive urban development.
Mission D-JAY(S) adopts a holistic approach to urban poverty alleviation, combining livelihood generation, social protection, and infrastructure development. The District Level Committee (DLC), chaired by the District Magistrate or District Collector and assisted by the District Mission Management Unit (DMMU), has been tasked with overseeing field-level implementation. The committee will ensure the convergence of Mission activities with ongoing central and state schemes, thereby maximizing benefits for urban poor households.
The programme specifically targets six Vulnerable Occupational Groups (VOGs), identified as among the most affected by informal employment conditions, limited access to social protection, and insecure living arrangements. These include domestic workers, waste workers, construction workers, gig workers, care workers, and transportation workers, each representing vital yet underserved sectors of the urban workforce.
Domestic workers such as cooks, cleaners, drivers, gardeners, and security guards form one of the largest segments in this initiative. Waste workers, including ragpickers, garbage collectors, and septic tank cleaners, are also covered under the mission to improve their working conditions and access to sanitation and safety gear.
Construction workers, who constitute a large portion of the informal urban workforce, such as masons, welders, plumbers, painters, and labourers, will benefit from targeted livelihood support, skill enhancement, and access to welfare schemes. Similarly, gig economy professionals like delivery agents, platform-based service providers, and ride-share drivers are being included to address emerging occupational vulnerabilities in platform-based employment models.
The care workforce, comprising Anganwadi and ASHA workers, auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs), and home-based caregivers, will receive social protection and health-related benefits under the mission. Transportation workers, including rickshaw pullers, e-rickshaw and auto drivers, and cart operators, will also be linked with housing and welfare entitlements.
The mission seeks to achieve these objectives through five strategic pillars, strengthening community institutions, enhancing employability, building social infrastructure, expanding social security coverage, and encouraging innovation and collaboration across departments and partner agencies. This integrated model aims to ensure that the identified groups gain access to sustainable livelihood opportunities, safe housing, and necessary government entitlements.
To facilitate participation, residents belonging to any of the six occupational categories have been urged to approach the Urban Poverty Alleviation Cell of the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council for enrollment details, eligibility criteria, and documentation requirements. The local administration will coordinate with relevant agencies to verify applications and extend benefits to eligible individuals and families.
Mission D-JAY(S) represents a shift in urban poverty governance, moving from welfare-oriented relief to empowerment-based development. By converging multiple government initiatives under one umbrella, the programme seeks to ensure that the urban poor are not left behind in the country’s urbanisation and economic growth narrative.
Authorities have emphasized that the success of the mission will depend on active participation from the target groups, support from local bodies, and coordination among various departments involved in urban planning, livelihood promotion, and social welfare. Through the outreach drive, Mission D-JAY(S) aspires to bring greater dignity, security, and opportunity to the most vulnerable segments of the urban population in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
