Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 6: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has stressed the need for taking the welfare schemes for SC community to their doorsteps so as to ensure their optimal execution.
Chairing a review meeting of the J&K Advisory Board for Development of Scheduled Castes, the Chief Minister asked the concerned Departments to launch awareness drives about these schemes among the intended groups so that these people are able to reap the benefits and also these schemes are optimally executed. In this connection, she suggested adoption of a convergent approach by various related Departments.
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Mehbooba suggested revisiting the criterion laid down for beneficiaries in various welfare schemes, particularly for student community, in view of the changed economic and social indicators. She stressed on achieving cent per cent execution of scholarship and coaching schemes for the students of SC community. She directed simplifying the procedure for issuance of SC certificates among the genuine applicants.
The Chief Minister directed the Deputy Commissioners for involvement of SC Board members in the implementation of various schemes and programmes aimed at welfare of the community in their jurisdictions. She also asked for timely release of funds for the schemes meant for welfare of SC community so that the same are not allowed to lapse.
Mehbooba assured the members of the Board that their concerns regarding the promotions to the members of their community would be looked into by the Government. She also advised the Vice Chairman of the Board to hold meetings at the district levels for addressing the issues on spot.
In his address, Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat enumerated several steps present Government is taking for the welfare and upliftment of the SC community. He appealed members of the board to work above party lines for the welfare of the community.
Vice Chairman, SC Advisory Board, Bhushan Dogra also addressed the meeting.
Minister of State for Social Welfare, Asiea Naqash; several legislators and members of the board were present in the meeting.
Meanwhile, Mehbooba also laid the foundation of three developmental projects here today being built by the Housing & Urban Development Department.
The Chief Minister laid the foundation of a hostel for working women at Boria to be built at a cost of Rs 4.16 crore. The 41 room hostel has a capacity of accommodating 73 persons. It would have all the basic facilities of kitchen, computer lab, office, badminton court, child care room and other ammenities.
Mehbooba directed the completion of the hostel within a year’s time so that the working women doing their job in the city are facilitated at the earliest.
The Chief Minister laid the foundation of a night shelter for Urban homeless to be built at a cost of Rs 1.86 crore. The three storeyed building would provide 100 bedded accommodation to homeless people and it would have facilities of kitchen, pantry and dining hall attached. The project is expected to be completed by March next year.
Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh, Speaker, Kavinder Gupta; Minister of State for Housing & Urban Development, Asiea Naqash; former Deputy Speaker, Legislative Assembly, Mohammad Sartaj Madni; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, M K Bhandari; IGP, Jammu zone, SD Singh Jamwal; officers of several wings of Urban Development Department and divisional administration were present on the occasion.
Earlier, Mehbooba laid the foundation of development of a park at Lower Roop Nagar, Muthi.
To be developed at a cost of Rs. 1.28 crore, the park shall be developed alongside local nallah and it would facilitate people of Muthi area including members of Economically Weaker Sections living nearby.
The park would have facilities like kiosks, benches, dust bins, parking area and public toilets and is expected to be completed within six months.
The Chief Minister, it may be recalled, had announced development of a park at the place during her visit to the area on February 21 this year.
On the occasion, several local residents and members of Pandit community interacted with the Chief Minister.
Mehbooba sought their feedback about the facilities being provided to them.
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