BASHOLI/Jammu, April 14 (Scoop News) – JK Lone woman Minister for Social Welfare, Ms Sakina Itoo distributed cheques worth more than Rs. one crore among 4481 beneficiaries of remote and far-flung areas of Basholi, Billawar and Lohi Malhar of Kathua district as financial assistance being paid to them under various Central and State sponsored schemes at an Awareness cum- Cheques Distribution Camp organized by Social Welfare Department here today.
The cheques amounting to Rs. 51.11 lakh were given to 2184 beneficiaries of Billawar, Rs. 13.89 lakh to 842 beneficiaries of Lohi Malhar and Rs. 34.00 lakh to 1455 beneficiaries of Basholi under IGMSY. Besides cheques amount to Rs. 44000 were given to 55 beneficiaries under LIC Scholarship scheme and Rs. 60,000 were given to 2 death insurance claim cases.
Minister of State for Social Welfare Mr Ajaz Ahmed Khan, Member Parliament, Lal Singh, MLA Basohli, Mr Jagdish Raj Sapolia, MLA Mrs Bimla Luthra, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Mrs. Zahida Khan, Director Social Welfare Jammu, Mohammad Hussain Bhatti, SSP Kathua, Deputy Director Social Welfare, Mrs. Trishla Kundal and Sub Divisional Magistrate Basholi were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion the Minister said that fair implementation in Central sponsored schemes, like Rajiv Gandhi Schemes for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls commonly known as SABLA and Indira Gandhi Matrivta Sahyog Yojana(IGMSY)are being implemented in selected districts has proved instrumental in empowering young adolescent girls and added that the need is to replicate the welfare schemes in other districts for holistic development of girls living in other areas of the State.
The Minister said that 60% improvement has been registered in the performance of the department during the last year. She said 5 lakh beneficiaries under below poverty line (BPL)are receiving pension from Social Welfare Department out of total population of 6.50 lakh families of the State which itself is an achievement. The Minister said that SABLA is being implemented in 5 selected districts of Kathua, Jammu, Anantnag, Kupwara and Leh while as IGMSY has been launched in Kathua and Anantnag district. She said that an amount of Rs. 5.20 crore have been provided as financial assistance to more than 1.31 lakh beneficiaries as financial assistance under SABLA and 12000 beneficiaries under IGMSY in these 5 selected districts during the last financial year.
Ms. Sakina said that organizing of such camps are of immense importance to make the targeted lot aware about the schemes in vogue. She underlined the importance of holding of such events for receiving feedback about the implementation of the schemes in far flung and remote areas like Basholi, Billwar and Bani. She stressed the need for holding of such events on regular intervals so that more and more people will get optimum benefits out of these schemes.
Minister of State for Social Welfare, Ajaz Ahmed Khan while addressing the gathering said that the government has initiated various schemes for the welfare of the people of far flung areas of the State which are being implemented in letter and spirit at the grass root level. He urged upon the people to come forward and avail the maximum benefits from the schemes launched by State and Central government for their better livelihood.
Mr Khan said the endeavours of the government is to continue its efforts to provide all the basic facilities to the people of the State at their door steps. He sought full cooperation from the people for the progress, development and prosperity of the State.
Member Parliament Lal Singh speaking on the occasion said with that liberal funding from the Centre, the coalition government is marching towards the development of the State and added that massive development programmes and welfare schemes are under implementation in every nook and corner of the State He stressed the need for launching massive awareness campaign of the programmes and policies of the government so that the people of far flung areas are benefitted. He highlighted the role of women folk in the society and said that women played a vital role in nation building.
MLA, Basholi Mr Jagdish Raj Spolia also addressed the gathering and put forth the demands of the people of the area for early redressal. While appreciating the role of the department for implementing various schemes vigorously in the area, he suggested some remedial measures for minimizing the problems of the people of the area.
MLA Bimla Luthra and Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Mrs. Zahida Khan also addressed the gathering.
The Director, Social Welfare, Jammu, highlighted the aims and objectives of the awareness camp and assured that the department will organize such camps in other far flung areas also in future.
Programme Officers, Anganwari workers, Supervisors, Sarpanchas, prominent citizens, senior officers of district administration and large number of people were present in the camp
.