Terming the social welfare department the key for the development and upliftment of the society, Minister of State for Social welfare, Health and Medical Education, Ms. Asiea Naqash today called for serious efforts from the Officers of the department in achieving the goal.The Minister was speaking during an awareness-cum-distribution camp organized by social Welfare department at Baramulla. MLA Baramulla, Javed Hussain Beigh and MLA Gulmarg Mohammad Abbass Wani also attended the camp.During the awareness-cum-distribution camp, cheques worth Rs. 20,000 each were distributed among 180 beneficiaries under marriage assistance for Orphan Girls, amounting to a total of Rs. 36 lakh .Cheques worth 9000 were distributed among 120 beneficiaries under RMV amounting to a total of Rs. 10.8 lakh. Similarly, pre-matric scholarships were distributed among 2966 students, while as under NFCH Scheme; cheques of Rs 3750 each were distributed among 220 beneficiaries.
Speaking on this occasion, the Minister threw light on the various aspects and schemes under social welfare department. She highlighted the need for identifying the genuine beneficiaries and termed social service the duty of every human being. The Minister also said that monthly pension for widows and Old age persons under IGNOAPS will be sooner increased to Rs. 1000.District Development Commissioner, Yasha Mudgal, Director Social Welfare, Hashmat Ali Yattoo and all district and sect oral Officers were present on this occasion.Later, the Minister chaired a meeting of district officers to take a review of the issues and problems of social welfare and health department in district Baramulla.