Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 13: The State High Court today passed slew of directions to Government in order to implement the two schemes meant for providing financial assistance to the poor and downtrodden girls in the State.
At the very threshold and before proceedings in the matter could have started, the court pointed out towards all the Deputy Commissioners of the Kashmir division who were present in the court that summoning to you (DCs) is for the purpose to try and find out the solution as how to get the two schemes namely ‘State Marriage Assistance Scheme’ and ‘HUNNAR Scheme’ implemented on ground level and get 100 percent results.
Court thereafter sensitised all the Deputy Commissioners and officers of Social Welfare Department about the purpose and spirit of the two schemes and asked the officers to provide the benefits of these schemes to the identified poor and destitute girls without any delay.
Court directed the Government authorities to release the required funds for implementation of the schemes. “The Government shall ensure that required funds are released for implementation of the SMAS Scheme” adding with “Commissioner/ Secretary SWD shall transmit the amount into the account numbers of the beneficiaries after recommendations are received from the concerned DCs”, directed the Division Bench of Justice MH Attar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey while sitting in a Special Division Bench to hear the matter only.
Court also directed that the sanctioned amount shall be transmitted in the accounts of beneficiaries within one week and public made aware about the ‘SMAS’ scheme through print and electronic media.
Court directed that after the application forms are received by these girls those shall be considered by concerned DC within week’s period and made they should make recommendations within that week to the Social Welfare Department.
Court observed that subordinates like Anganwari workers should be put on work to inform the public by going door to door in their respective areas about the benefits of these schemes. When asking that any DC has any problem in implementing the schemes, one of the DCs informed the court that the funds are not at their disposal and there is a lengthy process in sanctioning the payment to any identified girl.
To this statement, the Special Secretary to SWD who was present before the court submitted that the payments are being made on line as and when required and no delay is caused on their part. He further submitted that Rs 5 crores are at present at the disposal of the Government.
Court has been informed by all the DCs one by one about the identifying process, sanctioning process and process of payment to poor girls. Deputy Commissioner Srinagar informed the court that there are 10251 identified girls in his district and among them 1201 have been informed about the schemes.
Court with this ratio observed that “if you go by this speed then most of girls will become overage, why don’t you complete the process if list of girls is there. The scheme is involved to tackle the social problem”.
Deputy Commissioner Baramulla informed the court that in her district 18000 girls have been identified and 889 applications have been received and processed for sanction of amount.
Court in between warned District Social Welfare Officers for stern action as if they fail to do their job properly and observed to all officers present in the court “Keep the sensitivity of the issue. Reports must be positive on next date. Uphold the constitutional duty”.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal informed the court that 6404 girls have been identified in the district and 6 applications have been received so far. Court with this performance from the concerned officer pulled up him and observed to him that ‘you are not in the office to have grandeurs. Work also; you are being paid for work. Move village to village yourself. If this would be the position we will punish you. Show some sensitivity” adding with “If they (girls) are informed they would not sleep for a night. They would have approached you immediately” court further observed while showing serious concern on approach of the officers.
Senior Advocate Bashir Ahmad Bashir who is amicus to the PIL submitted before the court that “Had they (officers) taken care of these schemes, this occasion (the indulgence of court) would not have arisen.
Likewise other DCs of Banidpora, Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, shopian, Kupwara, Leh and Kargil gave the details of identified girls as 7015, 7500,19100,7726, 10061, 9250, 752 and 6678 respectively.
Court also made it clear that an affidavit as ‘documentary evidence’ sworn before any Judicial Magistrate about the fixation of date of marriage by the beneficiary would be sufficient evidence to enable the beneficiary of the scheme to get benefit under it.
“It is further made clear that it is not necessary that the beneficiary of the scheme should mention the date of marriage. It would be sufficient when she indicates in the affidavit that marriage has been fixed and would be solemnised shortly”, reads the order.
All the Deputy Commissioners and other officers at the conclusion of proceedings assured the court that purpose of the scheme will be accomplished in the manner, it was discussed in the court today.
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