Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: Saying that the Social Welfare Department is on threshold of a big transformation, the Minister for Social Welfare Sajad Gani Lone today said that the society as a whole will now monitor the implementation of the social welfare schemes.
He said 15 members Village Social Welfare Councils comprising 4 elders, 4 youth and 4 ladies will oversee the implementation of the social welfare schemes in their respective village beginning from April this year.
Briefing media about the proposed innovations in the social welfare sector, the Minister said all the works and relief payments will be decided by these Village Councils and the relief assistance payments will be in cashless mode – Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
The Minister said that the beneficiaries under social welfare schemes particularly living below poverty line will be brought under cashless Health Insurance Cover from April 1, this year. He said each BPL family will be provided insurance cover up to Rs 5 lakh for which a smart card will be provided to the beneficiary which would be accepted at all reputed private and Government hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country.
The Minister said that a world class boarding and lodging hostel will be constructed for underprivileged, adding that there is a huge number of widows and physically challenged who need care and assistance from the Government.
The Minister said that the marriage assistance to the deserving girls has already been enhanced from Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 and the formalities have also been eased. He said that the beneficiary need to self certify and this certification would be countersigned by two village locals.
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