Minister Leads Mega Social Welfare Outreach in Baramulla; Calls for Saturation of Welfare Schemes Across North Kashmir
Inayat Qayoom
Baramulla, Aug. 3:Minister for Social Welfare, Education and Health & Medical Education, Sakina Masood Itoo, on Monday announced that the Jammu and Kashmir Government has prepared a Cabinet memorandum proposing compassionate appointments for eligible family members of Anganwadi workers and helpers who die while in service, saying the initiative is aimed at providing timely support to bereaved families of frontline childcare workers.
The announcement was made while addressing a mega awareness-cum-outreach programme of the Social Welfare Department held at Baramulla for the three North Kashmir districts of Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora. The programme was organised to create mass awareness and ensure saturation of over 25 welfare schemes being implemented by the department.
The event witnessed the participation of Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Elections, Javid Ahmad Dar, and Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, besides Members of the Legislative Assembly from across North Kashmir.Among those present were MLA Baramulla Javid Hassan Beigh, MLA Sopore Irshad Rasool Kar, MLA Wagoora-Kreeri Irfan Hafiz Lone, MLA Uri Dr. Sajad Shafi, MLA Bandipora Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad, MLA Sonawari Hilal Akbar Lone, MLA Pattan Riyaz Ahmad Bhat (Bedar), MLA Karnah Javaid Ahmad Mirchal, MLA Lolab Qaiser Jamsheed Lone, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Dr. S.F. Hamid, Managing Director POSHAN Sajad Hussain Ganai, senior civil and sectoral officers, CDPOs, Anganwadi workers and helpers, besides a large gathering of beneficiaries and local residents.
Addressing the gathering, Sakina Itoo said the proposed Cabinet note seeks to providepriority appointment to an eligible family member of a deceased Anganwadi worker or helper without the requirement of a fresh recruitment advertisement. She said the memorandum has been prepared and will soon be placed before the Cabinet for approval.
The Minister acknowledged that Anganwadi workers and helpers continue to receive a modest honorarium and assured them that the government is actively examining the issue of enhancement of honorarium, strengthening budgetary support for Anganwadi Centres and addressing their long-pending service-related concerns.She also said the government is reviewing the service conditions and retirement policy introduced after 2019 and is committed to finding a solution to the issues faced by Anganwadi workers and helpers.
Praising their dedication, Itoo said Anganwadi workers have remained at the forefront of implementing welfare programmes and have served vulnerable sections of society with commitment even during difficult times. She described them as the backbone of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and stressed that their contribution to social welfare cannot be overlooked.
Highlighting the objective of the programme, the Minister said the government is committed to ensuring 100 per cent saturation of welfare scheme so that every eligible citizen receives the benefits of government programmes. She urged legislators to organise similar awareness programmes at the tehsil level in their respective constituencies to maximize outreach and ensure that no deserving beneficiary remains excluded.The awareness programme featured cultural performances, skits and interactive sessions showcasing flagship initiatives of the Social Welfare Department, including the Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS), ICDS, POSHAN Abhiyaan, Mission Shakti and several other beneficiary-oriented schemes.
Speaking on the occasion, Agriculture Minister Javid Ahmad Dar congratulated the Social Welfare Department for introducing significant reforms in the welfare sector. He said the government has consistently placed public welfare at the centre of its policies and has enhanced assistance under several social security schemes. He appealed to field functionaries to actively educate people about government programmes so that every eligible family can avail the benefits.
Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani emphasized that such awareness campaigns should reach every remote and far-flung area of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the government is committed to strengthening the welfare delivery system and ensuring that benefits reach every deserving household, thereby helping reduce poverty and social inequality.On the occasion, 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 inaugurating **three newly constructed Anganwadi Centres in Singhpora and Rohama blocks of Baramulla district.
Sakina Itoo also distributed appointment orders among newly selected Anganwadi workers and helpers. Sanction letters under the Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS), motorised tricycles and wheelchairs for persons with disabilities, besides baby kits, were distributed among beneficiaries from the districts of Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora.Earlier, the Minister, accompanied by the dignitaries, inspected exhibition stalls established by the Social Welfare Department, Mission Shakti, POSHAN and ICDS, where information regarding various beneficiary-oriented schemes and services was disseminated among the public.The programme concluded with a renewed commitment by the government to strengthen grassroots awareness, improve access to welfare schemes and ensure that the benefits of social security programmes reach every eligible citizen across North Kashmir.