Union Minister in Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, today reiterated that the centre is committed to improve living standards of the people especially those hailing from weaker sections of the society thus ensuring societal renaissance in the country.The Minister was speaking at the release of "Think Beyond", a magazine published by the J&K State Social Welfare Board.While addressing the gathering, Dr Singh said that union and state governments have launched various schemes and programmes to strengthen and uplift the lives of people from weaker sections of the society adding that the true measure of a nation’s growth is the quality of life being enjoyed by the economically weaker sections of the population.Dr. Singh lauded the role of the state social welfare board for its consistent efforts to improve the lives of disadvantaged people in the state by on-point implementation of welfare schemes launched by the government.
“The board is doing yeomen service towards welfare and development of the underprivileged segments of the society”, he asserted.Dr. Singh also stressed on involving youth, women and civil society activists in Board’s welfare programmes to increase the positive reach of these schemes. He hoped that the Board will continue its noble activities to mitigate the sufferings of weaker sections, widows, senior citizens and disabled persons.Responding to the demands put forth by the Chairperson J&K Social Welfare Board, Nirmal Gupta to improve the effectiveness of the Board, Dr Singh said that these would be looked into and will be redressed at the earliest.Among others, Vice Chairman OBC Advisory Board Rashpal Verma, SC Advisory Board Bhushan Lal Dogra and State Women Commission Nayeema Mehjoor, Executive Director State Social Welfare Board, Shahid Mehmood and representatives of various NGOs.