Minister for Social Welfare, Mr. Bali Bhagat and Minister for Industries & Commerce, Chander Prakash Ganga, today jointly launched the recently introduced state sponsored social security schemes, namely Ladli Beti & Aasra in Samba district at an impressive function held at Sarore in Vijaypur block.MLA Samba, Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal, District Development Commissioner, Samba, Ms. Sheetal Nanda, Mission Director, ICDS, J&K, Mr. Hashmat Yattoo, district officers of Social Welfare and other Departments, besides large number of locals, ASHA workers and Anganwari workers were present on the occasion.Highlighting the importance of the schemes, Mr. Bali said that both the schemes are aimed at extending maximum security cover to the poor beneficiaries and to promote the girl child in view of the declining sex ratio in 8 districts of the State. He said the scheme shall run parallel to the flagship programme of Central Government Beti Bachao – Beti Padao to improve the sex ratio.
The scheme envisages complete security cover for the girls born on or after 1st of April, 2015 and Government will ensure depositing Rs 1000 in bank account of the girl child till she attains 14 years of age and at attaining the age of 21 years, the accumulated amount approximately Rs. 6.50 lakh will be disbursed to the beneficiary for the purpose of marriage or undertaking any venture as per her wish. Mr Bali said the scheme has been launched to bring positive disposition towards the birth of girl child in the society.Expressing concern over the alarming situation due to declining sex ratio in some of the districts of the State, Mr. Bali advocated severest punishment for those involved directly or indirectly in sex determination tests and indulging in heinous crime in the society. He sought concrete steps to curb this practice and also called upon the people, especially the women folk to help getting rid of this social evil.Similarly, Mr Bali highlighted the Aasra scheme under which state would pay or reimburse premium for two insurance schemes viz Prime Minister Suraksha Bima Yojna and Prime Minister Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna.
The State Government would pay or reimburse the premium for a period of five years in the 1stinstance. The eligible beneficiaries availing the benefits of the programmes will include all bread winners of families whose total annual income is less than Rs 75000 and all widows and destitute residing in the State.He said Pradhan Mantra Suraksha Bima Yojna (PMSBY) is applicable to the people within the age group of 18 to 70 years, while as Prime Minister Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna (PMJJBY) is applicable to the beneficiaries within the age group of 18-50 years. In case of death, the next of the kin will be entitled to Rs. 2 lakh and in case of partial disability, the beneficiary will get Rs. 1 lakh, Mr. Bali said.Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Chander Parkash said that BJP-PDP Government is committed to the welfare and dignity of the people, especially the poor and women and these social security schemes have been tailored especially to help the deprived lot. He called upon the people to avail benefits of these schemes. He also asked the officers of the Social Welfare department to reach out to every individual by holding special camps in the rural and far-off areas.
He said awareness is must to highlight the features and formalities of the schemes so that maximum beneficiaries are covered. He also laid stress on the proper implementation of the schemes and simplification of procedures like relaxation of norms in issuing income certificates to the deserving beneficiaries.On the occasion, the Ministers also distributed registration letters to the parents of the Ladli Beties born after 1st of April, 2015.Mission Director, ICDS informed that as many as 197 beneficiaries have already got registered for availing the benefits under the scheme in different blocks of the district.Local artists presented a colorful and touching bonanza of cultural programme highlighting the social evils like female feticide and Importance of females in the society.