*Direct Benefit Transfer from 1st April
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 24: Governor, N.N. Vohra reviewed the activities of the Social Welfare Department and directed the Secretary to personally review the timely release of assistance to various categories of persons who are beneficiaries of the different schemes.
The Governor was reviewing the disbursement of financial assistance extended under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS), and Post-Matric Scholarship, Pre-Matric Scholarship schemes which are being implemented in the State by the Social Welfare Department.
The Governor also directed the Department to complete the exercise of data collection by February 28, including the Bank Account numbers and the Aadhar numbers so that pensions under NSAP and the scholarships can be credited directly to the beneficiary’s Bank Account from April 1, onwards.
The Raj Bhavan Spokesperson disclosed that under Post-Matric Scholarship scheme an amount of Rs.3.26 crore for 3,235 students belonging to Scheduled Tribe category; Rs. 2.90 crore for 3,105 students belonging to Scheduled Castes category; Rs. 1.12 crore for 2,472 beneficiaries belonging to Pahari Speaking People category and Rs. 2.20 crore for 2,325 students belonging to Other Backward Classes had been released till January 2015. It was also disclosed that for the financial year 2015-16 the scholarships of SC and ST students will be transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer mode.
Further, upto January 2015, Pre-Matric Scholarships of Rs. 40.32 crore has been provided to 3,28,060 students belonging to the Minority communities; Rs. 9.90 crore given to 1,09,000 students belonging to Pahari Speaking People category and Rs. 0.39 crore for 1773 students belonging to Scheduled Castes category.
Under Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS), an amount of Rs. 97.61 crore has been disbursed to 4,22,500 old aged persons, women in distress and physically challenged persons. Similarly under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) an assistance of Rs. 45.19 crore to 1,50,883 old aged persons, widows and physically challenged persons living Below the Poverty Line. This includes 12670 new cases which have been sanctioned during the current financial year.
Follow our WhatsApp channel