Underscoring the need for ensuring proper implementation of Social welfare schemes, Minister for Social Welfare & IT Mr. Sajad Gani Lone today directed the officers to ensure that the benefits percolate dower to targeted population.Chairing a high level review meeting of the officers of Social Welfare and its allied Departments here today, the Social Welfare Minister stressed on covering all the deserving persons under different welfare schemes aimed to uplift the socio economic status of weaker sections of society.The Minister said that any lapses from the officers in ensuring the benefits to the deserving persons won’t be tolerated and would be viewed seriously for stern action. He said the aim of Government is to uplift the living standard of the weaker sections and asked the concerned authorities to formulate proposals for grant of funds under centrally sponsored schemes.Reviewing the physical and financial achievements of various schemes, the Minister instructed the officers that targets fixed for current fiscal should be achieved in full adding that all the deserving categories be covered under different schemes. “It should be ensured that pension to old age persons, widows, destitute and others should be provided on monthly basis”, the Minister directed.The Minister was apprised that Rs 97 crore was utilized for providing nutrition to children and mothers under ICDS in the State during last fiscal.
The Minister instructed the concerned that growth check up of children on monthly basis in Anganwari Centre’s should be ensured, besides the Anganwari Workers and Helpers be acquainted with latest trainings in health and basic education. He was informed that SABLA scheme for adolescent girls in five district and Lactating Mothers Schemes in two districts are under implementation and showing good result. He was informed that Ladli Beti, Beti Bachav-Beti Padhav and Aasra schemes are in vogue in the State.The meeting was informed that scholarship worth Rs 90 crore has been provided to the deserved students from pre-matric to higher studies during last year under different schemes.The Minister was briefed that there are 34 Bal Ashrams and 12 Nari Nekitans with 1504 inmates working under the Social Welfare Department. He was informed that the Department is setting up Drug De-Addiction Centres at Kulgam and Tral and for the purpose the construction of buildings is apace.Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare, Mrs. Sarita Chouhan, Managing Director, JKWDC Mrs. Naheed Soz, Managing Director SC/ST Y.P.Suman, Director Social Welfare Kashmir Mr. Hasmat Ali Itoo, Director Social Welfare Jammu, and other officers were present in the meeting.