Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 23: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla today said that Government today launched various welfare schemes to provide assistance to poor, downtrodden besides upliftment of Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribe, physically handicapped persons and Other Backward Classes of the society, adding that Social Welfare Department is implementing many schemes to ameliorate their socio-economic status.
This was stated by the Minister while addressing a gathering after distributing sewing machines and tailoring kits among the women trained in tailoring of Rajiv Nagar in Narwal at awareness camp, organized by Social Welfare Department, here today.
District Social Welfare Officer Kulraj Singh besides other senior officers and locals in large numbers were present on the occasion.
Mr. Bhalla said that with the liberal funding from the Central Government, several welfare schemes for the under privileged people are under implementation in every nook and corner of the State. He stressed upon the people to come forward and avail the benefits out of these schemes. He informed that Government has provide old age pension to destitute males (60 years and above) and females (55 years and above) having no means of subsistence, adding that the amount of pension is Rs. 200 per month per beneficiary.
The widow or divorced poor women who have no source of income are provided financial assistance at the rate of Rs. 200 per month per beneficiary. He said that Government has provided Rs. 400 per month per physically handicapped pension beneficiary including blind, deaf and dumb having no source of income and disability above 40%.
Under National Social Assistance Programme, the Minister informed that SWD is providing financial assistance to poor falling below poverty line. He said under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), the Government is providing Rs. 400 per month with the age group of 60 years and above who are BPL and eligible under the scheme.
Under Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS), Mr. Bhalla informed that widows within the age group of 40 to 59 years are eligible under the scheme, adding pension amount is Rs. 400 per month per beneficiary.
Follow our WhatsApp channel