Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 16: High Court today directed the Social Welfare Department to provide the list of identified poor and destitute girls to District Social Welfare officers of all districts so as to inform these girls about the Marriage Assistance Scheme launched by the Government.
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation on the issues of welfare and providing financial assistance to the poor girls as also amendment to the Prevention of Corruption Act, the Division Bench comprising Justice MH Attar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey directed the Commissioner Secretary of Social Welfare Department to provide the list of these poor girls to all District Social Welfare Officers.
Court directed all the District Social Welfare Officers of the State to file the compliance report indicating how many identified girls and women have been informed about the ‘State Marriage Assistance Scheme for Poor girls’ and how may have been extended benefit of this scheme till filing of the compliance report.
Court had earlier directed the Government to implement the directions with regard to grant of benefits and betterment of destitute, poor and needy girls identified by the Social Welfare Department.
Thereafter a draft scheme was formulated and court had directed for second look to the scheme at the hands of respondents so as to implement the directions issued by this court effectively.
Before passing of these directions court has been apprised by Advocate General of the State Jehangir Iqbal Ganaie about the Government Order which is based on Cabinet decision under which sanction has been accorded to the adoption of a scheme.
After identification the poor girls by the Social Welfare Department under the directions of court order which according to the department are in lakhs, court had asked the authorities to provide them an amount of Rs. 25000 each and 5 gms of gold for their living a dignified life.
Court with regard to completing formalities for taking advantage of this scheme by the beneficiaries directed the authorities to accept an affidavit from the beneficiary sworn before Judicial Magistrate in absence of any documentary evidence about fixation of date of marriage. “That affidavit would be sufficient evidence to enable the beneficiary of the scheme to get benefit under it”, court said.
Court also directed for implementation of Scheme ‘Hunar’ and sought compliance report about adoption of the scheme.
DB also observed that this court has made a small effort, to some extent, in alleviating the sufferings of this class of girls. These identified girls court said, will now be in a position to lead a respectable life.
Court appreciated the earnest efforts made by amicus and senior advocate Bashir Ahmad Bashir and Advocate General for ensuring that the directions issued by court take the shape of Government orders and schemes launched in pursuance thereto.
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