Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 17: In a court on its own motion regarding rehabilitation of poor girls, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmed and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey today directed the Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare Department to file compliance report or appear in person on next date of hearing.
“The respondents are directed to indicate the number of girls in each district who have been given the benefit of State Marriage Assistance Scheme from its inception till date. The respondents shall also indicate the number of applications received under the same and their disposal”, the DB said, adding “the respondents shall also indicate the average time taken between receipt of the applications and decisions on those applications and also the average time already elapsed in so far as pending applications are concerned”.
Division Bench observed, “there are two schemes which have been formulated pursuant to court directions in this PIL. One scheme is known as the State Marriage Assistance Scheme (SMAS) for poor girls and the another scheme is known as Hunar”, adding “by virtue of the order dated June 13, 2016 this court had issued directions for modification in Form-I of the State Marriage Assistance Scheme within a period of one week”.
“In future, the respondents should strictly comply with the time line prescribed in the order dated 13.06.2016 of deciding the application within one week and where the decision is in favour of the beneficiary of disbursing the amount within one week thereafter”, the DB said, adding “respondents shall also indicate whether a corpus fund as required under the SMAS has been established and whether wide publicity has been given to the same so that philanthropists can also make contributions to this corpus fund”.
“The respondents shall also indicate as to what steps have been taken to create awareness of the scheme amongst the beneficiaries and whether the Form-I which is the only mode for applying under the scheme is readily available at all district centres so that the intending beneficiaries may apply for and avail of the benefits. Similar details shall also be provided for Hunar scheme”, the DB said, adding “the affidavit in respect of both the schemes case shall be filed by the Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department within two weeks”.
Making it clear that no further opportunity would be granted, the DB said, “in case the affidavit is not filed within the period of two weeks, the Commissioner Secretary shall remain present before the court on the next date”.
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