Jammu, January 7 (Scoop News) – The Minister for Social Welfare, Ms Sakina Itoo said that need of the hour is to made joint efforts for removing the sufferings of old aged, physically challenged persons, people living Below Poverty Line and the women in distress category section of the society. ”Service to the society is service to God” said Ms Sakina, adding that JK bank has to play a vital role in this regard.
The Minister was speaking at a joint meeting of the officers of J&K Bank and Social Welfare department, held here today to explore possibilities for opening of separate counters at specific JK Bank branches exclusively for the beneficiaries, receiving monthly pension from Social Welfare Department.
She said that 73,000 persons living blow poverty line( BPL) category would be brought under the ambit of Indra Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) soon. She said a massive programme has been launched to bring more such population under the welfare schemes of the department.
The Minister was speaking at a joint meeting of the officers of J&K Bank and Social Welfare department, held here today to explore possibilities for opening of separate counters at specific JK Bank branches exclusively for the beneficiaries, receiving monthly pension from Social Welfare Department.
Vice President, J&K Bank, R. K. Shah, Director Social Welfare, Srinagar, Hilal Ahmad Parray, Director Social Welfare, Jammu, Mehmood Rana, Joint Director Planning besides and other senior officers of the department were present.
The Minister said that it is our social responsibility to know the problems of this section of society and come forward for redressing the same. She emphasized upon the officers to work for improving their socio economic status so that they can also live a dignified life.
Ms Sakina said opening of separate counters on specific branches of J&K Bank would go a long way in minimizing the difficulties of the persons especially physically challenged and downtrodden.
Shah said that 60 service centers of the bank , exclusively for making payment to the pensioners, would start functioning from March this year. He said the beneficiaries of Social Welfare Department would also get their payments through these centers. He said Khidmat Centers are also being established so that people living in remote and rural areas would get their payment at their nearest place of residence. He said SMART CARDS are being issued to facilitate the financial transaction of the customers, particularly pensioners.
Shah assured the meeting that a circular would be issued to undertake reconciliation of the accounts so that unadjusted funds are remitted back to the department.