Health, Social Justice & Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil chaired a review meeting of Directorate for Empowerment of SCs, OBCs, Minorities & the Specially Abled (ESOMSA) here today and assessed the progress of various schemes run by the government in the state.
While reviewing the 'Swarn Jayanti Ashray Yojana', the minister stated that under this scheme an assistance of 1.5 lakh per unit is being provided to SC, ST and OBC for construction of a new house. He asked the concerned officials to adopt a process to rapidly clear the pendency of applications under the scheme so that the families can be provided immediate benefits of the scheme and also asked them to identify the potential new beneficiaries.
The rehabilitation to the SC and ST was a key area of focus for the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (SJ&E) and was being implemented in letter and spirit. He added that the government was working in a direction to spread awareness about atrocities on these communities and was providing an adequate budget for rehabilitation and upliftment of the weaker and vulnerable sections of the society.
He stated that a compensation of Rs. 85,000 to Rs. 8,25,000 was being given to the members of the families of SC/ST victims under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities)Act. The SJ&E Minister stated that the government was running 23 Day care centres/counselling centres and helpline, seven Varishth Nagrik Suvidha Kendra, and 11 old age homes in the state.
He appealed to the wealthier sections of the society to come forward and contribute in whatever possible means to ensure that the old age people get a respectful life. He also appealed the youth to take care of the senior and old age members of the family so that they do not have to suffer at the time when they require utmost care and attention.
Stressing on the importance to build and maintain world class old age homes, the minister stated that "if the government could keep old age people happier, compared to their own children, at the state-run centres then we must do more". While reviewing the programme run for enrolment in Computer Application Training run by the government, the minister stated that this was a good initiative as people get to learn skills that have a potential to provide them livelihood for the rest of their life.
He added that good agencies were being involved to provide the training and State Government was providing adequate funding and infrastructure for such programmes. Speaking about the various disability schemes being run by the State Government, the minister stated that the process for early detection, screening of disability and provision of disability cards must be further smoothened to provide benefits to the persons with disability.
The SJ&E department was carrying out an important and sensitive work of helping out poor, socially backward, marginalized communities, minorities and specially abled and told the District Welfare Officers (DWOs) and Tehsil Welfare Officers (TWOs) that their role as an individual and as an officer was critical as they were giving their services in a field which serves around 75% of the population.
The minister asked them to work with complete dedication as it would give them satisfaction of helping out those in need, including old age people, specially abled and other vulnerable sections with their dedicated services. The Minister also asked the officials to ensure that adequate and full utilization of funds was being done so as to benefit the people of the state, create infrastructure and provide skill developing courses for the welfare of various vulnerable sections of the society.
Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil also reviewed various other schemes including Indira Gandhi Mahila Samman Nidhi Yojana 2023, Swarn Jayanti Ashray Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyudaya Yojan (Adarsh Gram Yojana), Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram, SC Development Programme and other schemes run by the department and ESOMSA.
Secretary Social Justice & Empowerment, Health & Family Welfare, M. Sudha Devi, Director ESOMSA Pradeep Kumar Thakur, Additional Director Neeraj Kumar Gupta, DWOs, TWO and other officials were present at the meeting.