Minister of Finance, Dr Haseeb A Drabu, today hosted orphans for lunch at an Eid Milam in Pulwama.A group of nearly 150 orphans belonging to economically downtrodden sections of society were invited by Dr Drabu for Eid Milan at the Circuit House in Pulwama which was followed by lunch.The event was also attended by the Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, Mr Muneer-ul-Islam as well as the officers from the civil and police administration of Pulwama district.The Minister interacted with the young boys and gave a patient hearing to their problems. During the interaction, the Minister was informed about the steps being taken by the State Government to alleviate the problems of orphans.
The Minister shed light on the various State and Centrally-sponsored schemes meant for the disadvantaged sections of the society and urged them to take full advantage of such schemes.The Minister urged the District Administration to keep its doors open for such sections of the society who have been victimized by fate and address their problems on priority.Dr Drabu said the past three decades of violence has produced a generation of orphans in Jammu and Kashmir who have been neglected by cross-sections of the society. He said it should be the prime responsibility of elected legislators as well as the State government to address their varied problems.
“The absolute neglect faced by orphans in Kashmir over the last three decades has been breeding alienation in the State. It needs a permanent resolution which will go a long way in addressing the socio-political issues in Jammu and Kashmir,” Dr Drabu said.The Finance Minister said the State Government under the leadership of Ms Mehbooba Mufti is deeply concerned about the debilitating condition of orphans and orphanages in the State and all efforts will be made to address this important issue.Dr Drabu later distributed gifts among the boys who in turn expressed gratitude to the Minister for hosting them.