Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has stressed the need for taking the welfare schemes for SC community to their doorstep so as to ensure their optimal execution.Chairing a review meeting of the J&K Advisory Board for Development of Scheduled Castes, the Chief Minister asked the concerned Departments to launch awareness drives about these schemes among the intended groups so that these people are able to reap the benefits and also these schemes are optimally executed. In this connection, she suggested adoption of a convergent approach by various related Departments.Mehbooba Mufti also suggested revisiting the criterion laid down for beneficiaries in various welfare schemes, particularly for student community, in view of the changed economic and social indicators. She stressed on achieving cent per cent execution of scholarship and coaching schemes for the students of SC community. She also directed simplifying the procedure for issuance of SC certificates among the genuine applicants.
The Chief Minister directed the respective Deputy Commissioners for involvement of SC Board members in the implementation of various schemes and programmes aimed at welfare of the community in their jurisdictions. She also asked for timely release of funds for the schemes meant for welfare of SC community so that the same are not allowed to lapse.Mehbooba Mufti assured the members of the Board that their concerns regarding the promotions to the members of their community would be looked into by the Government. She also advised the Vice Chairman of the Board to hold meetings at the district levels for addressing the issues on spot.In his address, Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat enumerated several steps present Government is taking for the welfare and upliftment of the SC community. He appealed members of the board to work above party lines for the welfare of the community.Vice Chairman, SC Advisory Board, Bhushan Dogra also addressed the meeting. Minister of State for Social Welfare, Asiea Naqash; several legislators and members of the board were present in the meeting. Commissioner-Secretary, General Administration Department, Khursheed Ahmad Shah; Commissioner-Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Sajad Ahmad Khan; several Heads of Departments and senior officers also attended the meeting.