As a continuous efforts of the Present dispensation to provide the immediate justice to downtrodden, weak, disabled and handicapped,the Minister for Social Welfare, MS Sakina Itoo on Wednesday visited district Baramulla and distributed ADIP appliances among 92 beneficiaries including 28 wheel chairs,22 tricycles and 40 hearing aids on which Rs.5 lakhs have been spent.The Minister also distributed scholarship cheques to the tune of Rs.9 lakhs among 288 militancy affected school going children under Militancy affected Rehabilitation Scheme.The function was organised by J&K Militancy Rehabilitation Council with active support of District Social Welfare Centre, Baramulla. Director, Social Welfare Department, Kashmir Mr. Farooq Ahmed Khan, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla Mr. Manzoor Ahmed, Director, J&K Rehabilitation council, Hafizza Muzuffer, Director Tribal, District Social Welfare officer, Baramulla and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
On the occasion, addressing a large gathering, the Minister said that Government has already launched a large number of welfare schemes to address the problems of this vital part of the society. She asked the people to come forward and encourage these children, so that they many not feel any kind of aloofness. She further said that they need physical support rather than any other kind of assistance and asked people to provide them a helping hand, so that they may not feel any kind of deprivation. She said that directions have already been passed on the ground to cover all those disabled ,handicapped people and widows within two year time limit, who till date have not been covered under various welfare schemes launched by the Social Welfare department in the State.
Ms Sakina said that the main purpose of the concept of single line administration of the late Sher-i-Kashmir, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was to provide prompt and good governance to the common people not from the civil sect but from the district headquarters, so that the people of the far flung areas without wasting any time can get justice at their door steps. She said that the purpose of the holding Panchayat elections two years back was also to provide quick service to the common people. She further said that enacting of PSGA, RTI laws, establishing of Vigilance Commission, Accountability Commission was to provide good governance to the people, making officers accountable to the people, getting transparency in the work culture and streamlining the system.
Highlighting the role of Rehabilitation Council, She said during the last 20 years, the valley witnessed a lot of un-certainty, and it was decided to provide succour to those who have become victims of this un-certainty by providing scholarships to militancy affected school going children, financial assistance in to militancy affected un-married girls etc., so that they may be able to get stand on their legs. However, she asked the Director, Rehabilitation Council to visit far flung districts like kupwara and others and get feedback from the district officers about the process of the rehabilitation of the militancy victims.
Responding to the demands of Aaganwardi workers, the Minister assured them their genuine demands would be looked into and added that in this direction efforts are on to ensure their honorarium on time bound manner. She said that due to submitting of non-utilisation certificates they are not being paid honorarium on the right time. However, She warned that no would be spared in the future for delaying the process.On the occasion, Director, Social Welfare Department, Kashmir also spoke to the gathering and assured that full consideration would be given on the demands of the Aangan wardi works and helpers, however, he asked them to work with zeal and dedication.