Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment today held a regional conference of Ministers of Social Welfare (SW) of States / UTs at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.Chaired by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thewar Chand Gehlot, the meeting was also attended by Union Minister of States Ram Dass Athawale and Krishna Pal Gurjar.The representatives of four states J&K, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi attended the conference, where J&K was represented by Minister of State for Health and Medical Education Asiea Naqash.The meeting discussed various issues and schemes including drug prevention, senior citizens schemes under Rashtriya Vayushri Yojna, and Post Matric scholarships, and Babu Jagjiwan Ram Chatrawas Yojna (hostel for boys and girls).The meeting was informed about the present status regarding the drug prevention scheme in J&K. It was revealed that the State has only one de-addiction centre for 22 districts.
Responding to the concerns raised by JK govt, the Union Government asked for submitting proposals for GIA for 2017-18 and selected six districts for a national survey on drug abuse. Besides, the Central Government also assured full support to make J&K drugs free- state.Discussing Senior Citizen Scheme under Rashtriya Vayushri Yojna in J&K, the Union Government selected two districts Srinagar and Udhampur for assessment and organizing camps in this regard. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to senior citizens belonging to BPL category and suffering from any form of age related disabilities / infirmities which covers locomotor disability artificial dentures (complete & partial) low vision, hearing impairment.The meeting also discussed post matric-scholarship for scheduled caste (SC) and hostel for boys and girls, their updated status and further requirements.Secretary Social Welfare Sajad Ahmad Khan and other senior officers of State and the Central Government were also present in the meeting.