Listing women empowerment among the top agendas of the present dispensation, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh, today said the female folk are important stakeholders in making J&K a progressive and tranquil State.“In our world which is full of mayhem, sincere efforts must be made to empower women. If we empower a girl or a woman, we are empowering the entire nation,” Dy CM added.The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking during a function at Govt Degree College (Women) while launching ‘Empowering the Girl Child’ scheme at Kathua.Earlier, Dr Singh handed over keys of Scooters to 109 girl students of Government Degree College for Women Kathua. Under the scheme, the Government provides subsidy on scooters to meritorious girl students.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the scheme is part of an endeavor of the State Government to empower the girl child and to facilitate her independent mobility. He said under the scheme the State Government will facilitate 50% sponsorship of the cost of Scooty for college going girls in the State. These vehicles will enable girl’s independence of mobility and at the same time promote confidence in them, he added.The Deputy Chief Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to work for the safety, development and empowerment of J&K’s womenfolk and added that this scheme will not only help girls in commuting but also bring in her courage, self confidence and a feeling of self dependence. He added that the scheme will also inspire others to excel in their field to get appreciation as well as assistance from the Govt.
Referring to other schemes of women empowerment viz. Laadli Beti and State Marriage Assistance Scheme, the Dy CM said that these schemes will prove to be a game-changer in ameliorating the socio-economic condition of the womenfolk besides tweaking the child sex ratio of affected districts.Underscoring the essence of ‘Laadli Beti’ scheme Dy CM said that the scheme has been launched to create a strong positive disposition towards the girl child and aims to reverse the alarming trend of declining child sex ratio. The scheme addresses the concerns of girl’s right from birth to adulthood by providing financial security to them eventually, the parents don`t see their girl child as a burden, he added.Referring to other development projects undertaken by the government, Dr Singh said that besides IIT and AIIMS, our State received Rs 80000 crore as special central assistance for development. He also said that for overall improvement in power sector an amount of Rs 1 crore is being allocated in every constituency for 100 percent electrification and round the clock power supply.MLA Hiranagar, Kuldeep Raj extolled the scheme and said that a path-breaking trend has been set by the State Govt in empowering women by providing Scooties at subsidized rates to college going girls. He also spoke of propagating various others state as well as central welfare schemes so that benefits can be delivered to the needful.