Excelsior Correspondent
MAHANPUR, Apr 14: Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo distributed cheques worth more than Rs. one crore among 4481 beneficiaries of remote and far-flung areas of Basholi, Billawar and Lohi Malhar of Kathua district as financial assistance under various Central and State sponsored schemes at an Awareness cum- Cheques Distribution Camp organized by Social Welfare Department.
The cheques amounting to Rs. 51.11 lakh were given to 2184 beneficiaries of Billawar, Rs. 13.89 lakh to 842 beneficiaries of Lohi Malhar and Rs. 34.00 lakh to 1455 beneficiaries of Basholi under IGMSY. Besides cheques amounting to Rs. 44000 were given to 55 beneficiaries under LIC Scholarship scheme and Rs. 60,000 were given in 2 death insurance claim cases.
Minister of State for Social Welfare Ajaz Ahmed Khan, Member Parliament, Lal Singh, MLA Basohli, Jagdish Raj Sapolia, MLA Bimla Luthra, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Zahida Khan, Director Social Welfare Jammu, Mohammad Hussain Bhatti, SSP Kathua, Deputy Director Social Welfare, Trishla Kundal and Sub Divisional Magistrate Basholi were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that 60% improvement has been registered in the performance of the department during the last year. She said 5 lakh beneficiaries under below poverty line (BPL)are receiving pension from Social Welfare Department out of total population of 6.50 lakh families of the State which itself is an achievement.
The Minister said that SABLA is being implemented in 5 selected districts of Kathua, Jammu, Anantnag, Kupwara and Leh while as IGMSY has been launched in Kathua and Anantnag district.