Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 17: Minister for Social Welfare, ARI and Trainings, Science and Technology, Sajad Gani Lone today said that Government will bring in more transparency and accountability in the functioning of Social Welfare Department enabling the poor beneficiaries to avail the benefits of various welfare schemes.
Speaking on Demand of Grants for Social Welfare, S&T ARI and Trainings Department in the Assembly, Minister said that it is the endeavour of the present Government to uplift the poor, and help destitute and physically challenged people in the State. “The Government will provide adequate financial assistance to them for their dignified sustenance in the society”, he said and announced enhancement of Rs 500 in the honorarium of Anganwari workers and helpers with immediate effect.
Referring to the initiatives proposed, the Minister said that under NSAP, 151163 deserving persons, widows and old age persons would be provided pension during the current financial year. He said that 422500 old age, widows and handicapped persons would get pension under ISS Scheme in the State. He said the department has a target to provide scholarships to 594371 students of different categories during current fiscal.
Lone said that 720 poor adult girls would be provided marriage assistance under SMA scheme besides 63645 poor persons would be covered under Aasra scheme during current fiscal. He said 52630 deserving needy girls would be brought under Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for empowerment, 5223 would be covered under Indira Gandhi Matritiva Sahyog Yojana besides 2750 girls would be covered under Ladli Beti Scheme during current financial year.
The Minister said that State Rehabilitation Council would provide financial assistance to 8851 persons during current fiscal. He said 1066 beneficiaries would be covered by National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation, National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation, National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation and Women Entrepreneurship Programme during current financial year.
Later, the House passed the grants of Social Welfare, ARI & Trainings , S&T Department for the year 2016-17, which were moved by the Minister, amounting to Rs 1507.85 crore.
Earlier, while taking part in the discussion, Abdul Majeed Paddar said that the answer provided to his cut motions are incorrect and demanded action against the officers for wrong answers. “The MLAs are being ignored as in my constituency 67 orders were issued for setting up of Anganwari centres but I have no information. Elected Panch in my constituency was appointed as Anganwari worker against the guidelines”, he said and demanded that the centres set up without MLAs knowledge be closed and inquiry be ordered.
Pawan Gupta strongly pleaded for the extension of Ladli Beti Scheme to all the 22 districts of the State, enhancement of pension for widow, old age and handicapped persons to minimum Rs 1000 per month as promised by the Government on the floor of the House last year. He also demanded clearance of all pending pension cases, strict enforcement of National Family Welfare Scheme as well as State Family Welfare Scheme announced last year.
Shakti Parihar said that under various schemes of Social Welfare Department meager amount is being paid as assistance to needy. “There is pendency under various schemes and a fresh survey for marriage assistance scheme”, he added.
Jeevan Lal raised the issue of staff shortage in Social Welfare Department in his constituency. “No awareness camps were conducted by the department. You construct hostels for Tribals in the name of Gujjar and Bakerwals. MLAs be taken into confidence in the establishment of Anganwari Centres”, he demanded.
Mian Altaf Ahmad demanded that timely pension be given to the needy. “Under National Family Benefit Scheme no pension is given for last 6 months”, he said, adding a school for deaf and dumb be established in a village in Doda.
M Y Tarigami said that the allocation of funds for various schemes under Social Welfare schemes is meager. “The honorarium given to destitute and needy is very less and it needs enhancement “, he said. Anjum Fazli suggested that the children in Anganwari centres be imparted basic education.
Davinder Kumar Manyal said one village in his constituency was issued backward certificate for 16 years but it was stooped in 2014 as there was minor error in the records regarding name of the village Kabal. He demanded Nari Niketans for his constituency. Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen demanded that Gujjar hospital for constructed at Rahiyar in his constituency.
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