Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rajesh Sharma today reviewed the functioning and implementation of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Social Welfare Department schemes at a meeting held in the Conference Hall of the DC Office Complex.
The meeting was attended by ADDC Surinder Mohan Sharma; Programme Officer ICDS, Mohammed Syed; CPO Ranjeet Thakur; District Social Welfare Officer, Varun Chaudhary; Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs), Tehsil Welfare Officers (TWSOs) and other concerned officials.
Threadbare discussions were held on expanding coverage and strengthening the delivery mechanism of the welfare schemes being implemented by the ICDS and Social Welfare Departments in the district. At the outset, the Programme Officer ICDS presented a detailed status report on Central and UT-sponsored schemes.
He informed that 1641 Anganwadi Centres are presently functional in the district, while 3915 beneficiaries have been registered under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). The meeting was also briefed about activities being carried out under schemes such as Supplementary Nutrition Programme, Health Check-ups, Poshan Abhiyan, Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) and Ladli Beti.
Reviewing the progress, the Deputy Commissioner directed the field functionaries to ensure saturation of all ICDS schemes in their respective areas. He emphasized the importance of effective inter-departmental coordination among Health, Education and ICDS departments to achieve 100 percent coverage of all eligible beneficiaries.
The Deputy Commissioner also conducted a comprehensive review of Social Welfare Department schemes, including National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS), State Marriage Assistance Scheme (SMAS), Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Assistance to Disabled Persons (ADIP), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) and Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Programme (SCA to SCP), among others.
The District Social Welfare Officer informed the meeting that Mission Shakti camps are being organized across different parts of the district, during which departmental teams reach out to women beneficiaries to create awareness about women-centric welfare schemes and the support mechanisms available for their empowerment.
The Deputy Commissioner stressed the need for proactive outreach, transparency and timely delivery of benefits. He directed the department to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries are covered so that the intended objectives of the welfare schemes are achieved effectively at the grassroots level.