Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Feb 8: “Women emancipation is essential for social, economical and political transformation in the society”, stated Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo here today.
The Minister was addressing a gathering comprising Sarpanchs, Panchs, prominent citizens, Anganwari workers, Helpers, at Udhampur-Jakhani.
Spelling out Government’s initiatives for empowering women, the Minister said that Social Welfare Department and other sister organisations like Women’s Development Corporation, State Women Commission etc have been entrusted upon a major responsibility to uplift the women folk especially those belonging to weaker sections, living below poverty line, Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribe, backward classes etc.
The Minister said that presently more than 5 lakh people are benefitted under old age pension, widow pension, scholarship to students belonging to SC, minorities and other backward communities.
MLA, Udhampur, Balwant Singh Mankotia, MLA, Chenani, Krishen Chander Bhagat, MLA, Bimla Luthra also spoke on the occasion.
Later, the Minister distributed cheques worth Rs.2 crore among beneficiaries including 30 cheques under National Family Benefit Scheme, 12 cheques under Hearing Aids Scheme, 3 wheel chairs, 25 sewing machines along with stipend to trainees under SCA to SCSP, scholarship cheques worth 92 lakh among 14823 SC/OBC students, Rs.42 lakh scholarship cheques to the students belonging to minority community.
The Minister, who is also Chairperson of J&K SC, ST & BC Development Corporation, distributed cheques worth Rs 38 lakh among 30 beneficiaries of SC, ST and BC.
Referring to the pending cases of old age and widow pension, the Minister assured that these would be cleared as soon as the department receives funds from the Central Government.
On the occasion, District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, P. K. Pole, Managing Director, WDC Nahida Soz, Director Tribal Affairs, Raza, Programme Officer, ICDS, D. S. Kotwal and other senior district officers were present on the occasion.
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