Minister for Social Welfare, Forests, Ecology and Environment, Bali Bhagat today launched the social security scheme Ladli Beti here at today.Another insurance-based scheme AASRA, aimed at benefiting low-income families of the state was also launched in the district.Peoples Democratic Party President, Mehbooba Mufti, Minister for Horticulture, Hajj and Auqaf Mr. Abdul Rahman Veeri, Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, Asiea Naqash, MP, Mr. Nazir Ahmad Laway, former MP, Dr. Mehboob Beig, former legislator, Mr. Rafi Ahmad Mir, Director Social Welfare, Kashmir, Hashmat Ali Itoo, DC Anantnag Mr. Muneerul Islam, other officers of the district, concerned staff of Social Welfare Department and the beneficiaries were present on the occasion.
Emphasizing on the benefits of the scheme, the Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir has achieved the distinction of having a prime social benefit schemes christened as Ladli Beti Scheme catering to the needs of poor section of the society and provides the much needed social and economic security to the girl child.Terming female infanticide as a heinous crime, Bali Baghat urged the society to come forward and put in place concerted efforts to create congenial environment where a girl child gets fair opportunity to prove her mettle in each and every sphere of life.Expressing concern over the increasing gap in the child sex ratio of the state, the Minister said that poverty is the main cause of such alarming trend and the birth of girl child can only be encouraged when they are economically strengthened and launch of Ladli Beti scheme is one such step in this direction.
The Minister directed the Social Welfare Department to identify beneficiaries in a transparent manner and encourage registration of casual labours, daily wagers and SPOs under the AASRA scheme.Speaking on the occasion, PDP President and Member Parliament, Mehbooba Mufti said that social taboos and poor economic conditions hinder the intellectual and professional growth of a girl who is considered burden on the parents adding initiatives like Ladli Beti are aimed to break this stereotype. She asked the beneficiary families to come forward and take benefits of the scheme.Hailing the Chief Minister, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed for launching Ladli Beti and AASRA schemes, Minister for Horticulture, Hajj and Auqaf Mr. Abdul Rehman Veeri said that Chief Minister has shown keen interest in these two social security schemes and it marks beginning of a new era in the empowerment of weaker sections of the society.
At the conclusion of the programme registration certificates were distributed among the identified beneficiaries under the Scheme.The other scheme AASRA, an insurance scheme targeting low-income families having annual income less than Rs.75000, will provide Rs. 2 lakh to the bread-winner, widow or destitute, in case of death and Rs. 1 lakh in case of disability due to injury.Director, Social Welfare Department revealed on the occasion that underLadli Beti Scheme, 1100 cases have been approved till date and 2300 cases are in the pipeline. Under AASRA, he said, 9000 cases have been approved.
Scheme highlights
Under the scheme, girls who take birth on or after April 1st, 2015 will get Rs.6.5 lakh on attaining the age of 21 years.Those registering with the scheme should have an annual income of not more than Rs. 75000.An amount of Rs.1000 per month will be deposited in the account of the girl child, with effect from April 01, 2015 for a period of next 14 years.Prescribed application form for the scheme is available in the offices of DPO and CDPOs.