Underscoring the need for proper implementation of social welfare schemes, Secretary Social Welfare Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone today impressed upon officers and officials of the Department to ensure that the benefits of these schemes percolate down to the deserving population.The Secretary said this while chairing a high-level meeting to review the functioning of the department here.The meeting was attended by Director Social Welfare Kashmir, Director Social Welfare Jammu, Director Finance Social Welfare, Director Planning Social Welfare Department and other senior officers of the department.The Secretary directed that all those persons who are being getting benefited through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes must be linked with Adhar within a month so that transparency of departmental schemes would be maintained.The officials gave an overview of various welfare schemes and scholarship programmes being offered by the department.The meeting was informed that 150448 beneficiaries which include old age persons, widows, disabled and BPL families were provided benefit under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) - a centrally sponsored scheme, by way of monthly pension and economic assistance. Likewise, under State sponsored Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS) around 42250 beneficiaries are receiving various welfare benefits.The Secretary urged for generating greater awareness among the masses regarding the welfare schemes so that the real purpose of these schemes is served.Calling upon the Social Welfare Department to activate its set up at the district level, the Secretary asked the officials to monitor the feedback of departmental schemes on regular basis for their better implementation.