Saying that empowerment of women is imperative for the development of the society, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today said the Government has launched many schemes and programmes for the welfare and development of women of the State.Addressing a public meeting after interacting with members of women Self Help Groups set up under UMEED programme under J&K Rural Livelihood Mission here this afternoon, the Chief Minister said the State Government has flagged women’s welfare as a priority area and efforts are being made to achieve the targets in this regard.Mehbooba Mufti said keeping this in view the State Government has launched a scheme called Ladli Beti to support and finance the expenses of girl child. Similarly, she said, the State Government has introduced women’s Police Stations in many districts of the State for the speedy disposal of cases of crime against women.
The Chief Minister said the Government contemplates to set up a Maternity & Child health centre along a hospital in every area of the State so that women in far flung places don’t have to travel miles for their treatment. She said recently the Government launched a scooty scheme for girl students to encourage the meritorious ones and equip them with exclusive transportation. An exclusive bus service for women was introduced to give the working women and students a secure atmosphere not only at workplace but on roads and in travel also, she added.Mehbooba Mufti complimented the Self Help Group (SHG) members for writing their success stories and contributing positively to their families and the society. She said possibilities would be explored that these SHGs get the requisite market support and their products are sold across the country at good prices.Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh in his address termed the Umeed scheme as a good beginning for the economic empowerment of rural women of the State. He hoped that the ambit of the scheme would be extended to more and more people.Minister for Rural Development, Abdul Haq Khan also addressed the gathering.Earlier on her arrival, Mehbooba Mufti visited various stalls put up by these SHGs who had come from various areas of the State.Minister of State for Rural Development, Sunil Sharma, MLA, Bishnah, Kamal Arora, Secretary, Rural Development Department, Kifayat Hussain Rizvi, Director, JKRLM, Dr. G N Qasba and other officers were also present on the occasion.