CS reviews progress of social welfare schemes, Rail link, NH projects

Chief Secretary B B Vyas chairing a meeting at Srinagar on Thursday.
Chief Secretary B B Vyas chairing a meeting at Srinagar on Thursday.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Sept 7: Chief Secretary, B B Vyas today chaired a meeting with Deputy Commissioners to review the progress of various flagship schemes including Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), being implemented by the Social Welfare Department for welfare of the girl child and women.
Secretary Social Welfare and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.
Initially launched in 5 districts of J&K, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme has now been extended to 10 more districts. From the year 2016-17, funds are being released directly to the concerned DCs for implementing the scheme.
Calling upon the Social Welfare Department to activate its set up at the district level, Chief Secretary asked DCs to monitor on a regular basis the implementation of the various social welfare schemes and ensure that data on monthly Child Sex Ratio and Utilization Certificates are submitted to the Union Government, as per the timelines.
“All 15 districts should ensure that Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme is implemented in letter and spirit through mass campaign, focused intervention and multi-sectoral action”, Chief Secretary told DCs.
He reviewed the status of implementation of the financial assistance being provided to the victims of the militancy by the State Rehabilitation Council and child victims of communal, caste, ethnic and terrorist/border violence by the National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH).
He also reviewed progress in regard to establishment and management of One Stop Centre for women in 9 districts viz Srinagar, Anantnag, Bandipore, Kupwara, Leh, Doda, Rajouri, Jammu and Kathua under the scheme ‘Sakhi’ (Nirbaya Fund) to support women affected by violence and setting up of Poorna Shakti Kendra at Kulgam for outreach and convergence of schemes and programmes related to woman in the district.
Chief Secretary asked DCs to ensure that One Stop Centres for women are made operational by ending October. Models adopted by various districts were also discussed fro replication by other districts as per their requirements and feasibility.
DCs were also directed to hold regular meetings with the concerned officers to review the implementation of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, DBT, Bio-Metric Attendance and GST in their respective districts besides ensuring that toilet and drinking water facilities are augmented in all schools.
Chief Secretary urged DCs to take recourse to procurement through the GeM portal for greater transparency.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary chaired the 3rd Apex Committee meeting to review the progress of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baram-ulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project.
Chief Secretary received brief from Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi and Deputy Commissioner, Ramban regarding the latest status of land acquisition in the Katra-Banihal Rail Line section and 132 KV Transmission Line section from Katra to Reasi and Ramban to Sangaldan for the Railway’s Integrated Sub-Station.
Railways Authorities were requested to complete the work on the railway crossing at Bijbehara at the earliest, so that traffic on this National Highway stretch is thrown open without any encumbrance.
Chief Secretary also reviewed the progress of 4 lane Srinagar-Jammu National Highway projects and 4 lane Srinagar/Jammu ring road project. He received brief regarding the status of these projects from both Divisional Commissioners and concerned DCs.
Chief Secretary asked DCs to expedite the disposal of pending land acquisition cases in all the three prestigious projects.