Baramulla: The Social Welfare Department on Monday organised a mega awareness camp in Baramulla for the three North Kashmir districts of Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora to promote awareness about more than 25 welfare schemes and improve beneficiary coverage.
Minister for Social Welfare, Education, Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo led the programme, which was attended by Agriculture Production, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Elections Minister Javid Ahmad Dar, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, legislators from North Kashmir, senior civil officers, anganwadi workers and helpers, and local residents.
The programme featured awareness sessions, cultural performances and skits highlighting various schemes, including the Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Poshan and other beneficiary-oriented initiatives.
Addressing the gathering, Itoo stressed the need to ensure saturation of welfare schemes so that all eligible beneficiaries receive government support. She acknowledged the role of Integrated Child Development Services workers and helpers in reaching vulnerable sections of society and said the government was working to address their concerns, including enhancement of their honorarium.
The minister also urged legislators to organise similar awareness programmes at the tehsil level in their constituencies to improve public awareness and expand the reach of welfare schemes.
Speaking on the occasion, Javid Ahmad Dar said the government had taken several people-centric decisions, including increasing assistance under various welfare programmes. He urged field functionaries to actively educate people about the schemes so that eligible beneficiaries could avail the benefits.
Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani said such awareness campaigns should be extended to remote areas to ensure that no deserving household is left out of the welfare net.
During the programme, the ministers and legislators e-inaugurated newly constructed Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) offices at Wagoora in Baramulla district and Sogam in Kupwara district, besides three anganwadi centres in the Singhpora and Rohama blocks of Baramulla.
Itoo also distributed appointment orders to newly selected anganwadi workers and helpers. Sanction letters under the Integrated Social Security Scheme, motorised tricycles, wheelchairs for persons with disabilities and baby kits were distributed among beneficiaries from Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora.
Earlier, the minister and other dignitaries inspected stalls set up by the Social Welfare Department, Mission Shakti, Poshan and Integrated Child Development Services to create awareness about various beneficiary schemes.
