Divisional Commissioner, Dr Raghav Langer today reviewed implementation of Social Welfare schemes and working of the Department in the districts in a meeting attended by Deputy Commissioners and concerned staff through virtual mode.The Div Com spoke with Deputy Commissioners and District Social Welfare Officers besides Director Social Welfare Jammu and inquired about the achievements made in the implementation of the welfare schemes.The Div Com exhorted upon the Deputy Commissioners to extend regular support to the social welfare department in implementation of its schemes meant for the welfare of the downtrodden section of the society. “The schemes give exemplary support to the needy and therefore the staff of the department must go extra mile to extend them,” he said.Director Social Welfare, through a powerpoint presentation, gave details of assistance being provided in the form of pensions, scholarships, skill training and about other institutions being run by the department.The Div Com sought details with respect to pending cases of disbursal of pensions for the old and the disabled. He directed the districts to rationalise the district-wise targets under Integrated Social Security Scheme, ISSS.
About the public demand for reducing the age criteria for widow-pension, the Div Com asked the Director to submit a fresh proposal to the higher authorities and follow up the same. Both NSAP as well as ISSS schemes were discussed and performance of districts analysed. Director Social Welfare apprised the Div Com that there has been year on year increase in the total no of beneficiaries since last 02 years. Also, this year an additional target of 60,000 has been approved by the Govt for saturation of eligible population under ISSS scheme.The Div Com directed districts to conduct Panchayat wise assessment of the number of eligible applicants for receiving prosthetic aids. War footing efforts are needed to be made as the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor has given explicit directions in this regard, he added.Briefing about the disbursement of pre-matric and post-matric scholarship, the Director SWD said that the department has received more than 95 thousand application this financial year which are under various stages of scrutiny.Issuing strict directions for timely disbursement of scholarship, Div Com said that CEOs and ZEOs would be held accountable and their salaries withheld in case they fail to enroll and provide benefits to the deserving students in due time.
He also directed the Director to discuss enrollment of eligible candidates with nodal officers in colleges and universities.While discussing scholarships for minorities, the Div Com sought community-wise breakup. He was told that the portal for application is open till December 30.Other schemes like Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY) and Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP) and projects like construction of hostels for SC and OBC students were also reviewed by the Div Com.The Div Com directed all District Social Welfare Officers to complete the works taken up under SIPDA and SCA to SCSP schemes within this financial year. Meanwhile, they were told to project the requirement of land to the DCs for construction of additional SC & OBC hostels under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes.The Div Com exhorted the District Social Welfare Officers to put in concerted efforts and maintain close coordination with the Deputy Commissioners to proliferate benefits of the social welfare schemes to the targeted population.