Jammu/New Delhi, June 16 (Scoop News) – J&K lone woman Minister for Social Welfare, Ms. Sakina Itoo today said that a proactive approach adopted by the state government in the implementation of welfare schemes has shown positive results in improving qualitative delivery of services.
Speaking at a two day conference on women and child development here convened to discuss speedy implementation of various schemes and laws concerning women, Ms Itoo reiterated government’s firm determination to strengthen the anganwadi infrastructure in the state and ensure benefits to poor and needy children.
“Presently, only 483 anganwadi centres have their own accommodation while 25000 centres are functioning in rented houses in the state”, she said and sought central assistance in this regard. She said state government has submitted a proposal to the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development for coverage of 4077 additional hamlets under ‘Anganwadi-on-Demand’ programme for up scaling facilities in the centres currently at place.
To ensure cent percent coverage under the anganwadi network, steps are already afoot, she said adding that the State government has raised the honorarium of the anganwadi workers and helpers by Rs 300 and Rs 200 respectively per month and 20,000 Mahila Mandals have been set up in last one year. The members of the Mahila Mandals are undergoing training to look after the entire cycle of activities in the anganwadi centers including purchasing, cooking and serving the supplementary nutrition in future as a step toward decentralizing the system.
“Under Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) annual plan of Rs. 40 crore has been prepared and MoU in this regard is expected to be signed with the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development within a month before the scheme is launched in the state”, she elaborated.
Ms Sakina Itoo enumerated the measures state government has taken to ensure effective and transparent implementation of various centrally sponsored social welfare schemes. “The attention has been concentrated to provide necessary succor to the widows, orphans, old aged, ailing mothers and adolescent girls besides working for empowerment of women in the state”, she informed the conference.
The Social Welfare Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir passed through difficult times for last over two decades adversely affecting the delivery mechanism. “Many schemes meant for welfare of women and children also received set back during this period. The government led by Omar Abdullah has introduced new initiatives and infused new energy in the functionaries to help rejuvenate the system and successfully launched schemes”, she said.
She said ICDS programme which also got hampered during the period of disturbance has been revived resulting in implementation of key elements and smooth financial inflow from the centre for the programme. The inflow of funds has doubled during last year as compared to the previous year.
Ms Itoo said that Health Nutrition Day has been fixed for ensuring regular health checkup of women and children for which necessary gadgets have been provided to the concerned. “Attention is also been given to ensure vaccination and provide other medicare treatment to the needy through relevant schemes” she said adding that Rajiv Gandhi scheme for empowerment of adolescent girls in the state is carried forward with determination.