Govt committed to welfare of weaker sections: Sakina

Excelsior Correspondent

KARGIL, June 12: Minister for Social Welfare and Public Grievances Sakina Itoo, today said that the Department of Social Welfare is doing yeoman’s service in the transformation of the society by way of providing financial assistance to the weaker sections, widows, orphans and handicapped persons of the State.
The Minister, who is on tour to Kargil, was addressing at an awareness camp organized by the Social Welfare Department, Kargil, for the Anganwari Workers and Helpers.
Ms. Sakina said that present Government is committed to provide succour to the people affected during militancy and also due to natural calamities’ like earthquake and floods.
The Minister directed for setting up of a branch of Women Development Corporation (WDC) and also for construction of Tribal Hostel in Kargil. She assured the people that implementation of new welfare schemes like SABLA and IGMSY will be taken up shortly for the deserving persons of district.
Ms. Sakina said that till date 667 Anganwari Centres have been setup in Kargil and sanction for additional 125 new Anganwari Centres is expected from the centre shortly.
The Minster said that 9760 persons of Kargil were benefited under Old Age Pension Scheme and 5196 persons under other welfare schemes during the year 2011-12, while as scholarships have been provided to 5313 students of Kargil during the year.
The Sakina along with her Cabinet colleague Qamar Ali Akhoon jointly laid foundation of Girls Hostel at Kargil to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 56 lakh.
Referring to the demands put forth by various deputations on the occasion, the Minister directed the District Development Commissioner, M. Raju to initiate steps for mitigating the grievances of people through rehabilitation and other programmes of great significance.
Mr. Akhoon said that Social Welfare Department (SWD) is earnestly working for upliftment of weaker sections of the society and several schemes for their welfare are under implementation in the State. He said that there is dire need to publicize them to make people aware of the benefits of schemes so that the deserving persons are benefited.