Pulwama/Srinagar, June 4(Scoop News) –Minister for Social Welfare, Ms Sakina Itoo today inaugurated Markaz e Falah-i-Itifal at Sambora, Patal Bagh constructed at a cost of Rs. 4.37 crore.
Spreads over 13 kanals, the Complex has been constructed by J&K PCC with all the latest facilities consisting of Kitchen, multi-purpose halls, bathroom, toilet and other facilities.
On the occasion, the Minister was informed that presently 50 inmates belonging to weaker sections, orphans and destitute from first class to Class 10th have been put up in the Markaz with the facilities of boarding, lodging and schooling.
Earlier, the Minister was informed that under National Foundation for Communal Harmony Scholarship, cheques worth Rs. 1.40 lakhs have been distributed among 14 students while under National Family Benefit Scheme, Rs.20,000(Rs.10,000 each) were distributed among two widows.
The Minister was also informed that under Pre-matric Minority scheme, cheques worth Rs.1,15,800 were distributed among 93 beneficiaries. It was also given out that cheques worth Rs.2.50 crore would be distributed among 14,000 students of the district under pre-matric scholarship scheme during the current fiscal.
Addressing a public gathering, the Minister stressed for the proper upkeep and maintenance of the said Complex. She said that Rs.4 lakh has been provided for the replacement of bedding and other allied items.
Ms. Sakina said that Social Welfare Department has launched various welfare schemes to accommodate the needy, destitute, orphans and widows by providing financial assistance. However, She said there was manifold increase in the cases of disabled, widows and orphans during the last 2 decades of turmoil , adding that the Government is making all out efforts to provide them succor by way of financial assistance in terms of old age and widow pension etc.
The Minister said that presently over 5 lakh people are being provided pension under old age and widow pension schemes in a transparent manner.
The Minister asked the Civil Society to come forward and share their responsibilities for bringing up of this under privileged class.
On the occasion she stressed upon the Superintendents, Wardens and other staff members of the Markaz Falah-i-Itifal to nurture young kids in a better way so that tomorrow they can become good citizens of the State. She also stressed on moral education of the said kids. She said presently 28,000 Anganwari Centers are functional in the State where Anganwari workers and helpers are providing nutrition to kids.
MLA, Pampore, Zahoor Ahmed Mir, District Development Commissioner, Pulwama, Manzoor Ahmed Lone, Director, Social Welfare, Kashmir Farooq Ahmed Khan, Executive Director, Rehabilitation Council, Secretary, Social Welfare Board, Managing Director, SC, ST and other Backward Classes, S.P. Awanti Pora, District Social Welfare Officer, Pulwama and other senior officers of the concerned department were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile Ms Sakina Itoo has lauded J & K Women Development Corporation for playing vital role in providing employment to qualified women entrepreneurs by providing finance for establishment of their income generating units. She said that empowering skilled women (ESW) a part of Sher-i-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Programme for youth has been launched in 2010 and so far thousands of youth of the State have been benefitted.
Interacting with women entrepreneurs, the Minister advised them to lay emphasis on quality of the product to fetch good market for better sales. She expressed happiness that a number of women entrepreneurs have become self- reliant by adopting many trades and said that this is a basic step for empowerment of the women.
Welcoming the Minister, the Managing Director Women Development Corporation, Ms Nahid Soz highlighted the role of the Corporation in the empowerment of women with particular reference to ‘ESW’. She said that JKWDC so far had covered 964 entrepreneurs by providing loan approximately to the tune of Rs. 15 crore since the launch of the scheme.
On the occasion entrepreneurs put forth their demands before the Minister for easing bank loans and removing of other bottlenecks coming in the way of establishing their income generating units.
The interaction programme was attended by a large number of entrepreneurs and other concerned officers.
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