Governor N.N. Vohra, in a meeting held at the Raj Bhavan here today, reviewed various important issues relating to the Social Welfare Department (SWD). The meeting was attended by Mr. Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, Advisor to the Governor, Mr. P.K. Tripathi, Principal Secretary to Governor and Mr. Sanjeev Verma, Secretary, SWD.The Governor was informed that clearance had been secured for creating the post of Commissioner for Disabilities, along with supporting staff. The establishment of this office shall satisfy a very long pending demand from Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in J&K and help in empowering the specially abled persons. Governor directed that this proposal be brought up for approval by the State Administrative Council next week. Secretary Social Welfare informed that proposal for inclusion of J&K under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), at an estimated cost of Rs. 27.92 crores, has recently been submitted for approval to the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development. Governor directed that the matter should be proactively pursued for obtaining the requisite approval to enable very early roll out of the scheme in the State.
ICPS is a flagship scheme to secure the Rights of Children and to contribute towards their wellbeing and to the reduction of vulnerabilities to situations and actions that lead to abuse, neglect, exploitation, abandonment and separation of children. 90% of the fund support for ICPS is made available by the Central Government, which provides a complete organization encompassing manpower, infrastructure and a number of other interventions designed for children, in need of care and protection and also for those children who are in conflict with the law. The scheme also envisages setting up of State Child Protection Society; District Child Protection Units under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners; Child Welfare Committees at the district level; and establishment of Juvenile Justice Board. The scheme envisages monthly support of Rs. 2000/- per month per child to such parents who are living in the destitution for the maintenance of their children.
Governor directed that the draft Bill for constitution of a Composite Women and Child Commission as well as for State Trust for Welfare of persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities be also expedited. This will enable the persons with the aforesaid disabilities to derive a number of benefits as are already available under the National Trust.While reviewing the progress regarding implementation of the J&K Maintenance and Welfare of Senior Citizens Act 2014, the Governor was informed that the Rules under the Act were yet to be finalised. The Governor directed that the finalisation and notification of the rules should be done on most urgent basis.
The Governor was informed that a new Composite Regional Centre (CRC) has been sanctioned forJammu and land measuring 24 kanals has now been transferred to the Social Welfare Department. A Composite Regional Centre is already functional at Srinagar. Establishment of a second CRC will provide preventive and promotional aspects of rehabilitation like education, health, employment and vocational training, research and manpower development and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities (PwDs) by offering them Assistive Aids and equipments. Governor directed that the Social Welfare Department should expedite signing of MoU with Department of Disabilities Affairs, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India for early establishment of the CRC at Jammu.