Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, convened a meeting to assess the impact and reach of the Social Welfare Department’s beneficiary-oriented schemes across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting, attended by key department officials, focused on child development, nutrition, and the welfare of marginalized communities.
Key Scheme Reviews and Legal Framework:
- Dulloo reviewed schemes aimed at empowering individuals with disabilities, widows, elderly citizens, and those from reserved categories.
- He evaluated the effectiveness of legal frameworks designed to ensure social justice and protect vulnerable groups. This included the Juvenile Justice Act (2015), Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005), Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016), Transgender Persons Act (2019), POCSO (2012), Child Marriage Prohibition Act (2006), and SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act (1989).
Enhancing Education and Nutrition:
- Dulloo emphasized the need to improve the quality of education at Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
- He directed the department to expand scholarship opportunities for marginalized students.
- He also mandated close monitoring of child and adolescent girl growth indicators in AWCs, with specific interventions for supplementary nutrition based on medical recommendations.
Departmental Performance and Budget:
- Commissioner Secretary, Sanjeev Verma, reported that the department utilized Rs 2,147.24 crore (86%) of the Rs 2,496.25 crore allocated for 2024-25.
- The budget for 2025-26 has been increased to Rs 4,361.14 crore, representing a 68% rise.
- Key schemes include Mission Vatsalya (child protection), Mission Shakti (women’s empowerment), and PM-AJAY (SC community development).
- The department also provides scholarships, prosthetic aids, financial assistance through the Ladli Beti Scheme, and pensions for militancy-affected families.
Anganwadi Centers and Beneficiary Reach:
- The department manages 28,183 AWCs, with 136 upgraded to “Saksham Anganwadis” in 2023-24, featuring modern facilities like Poshan Vatikas and digital tools.
- Supplementary nutrition is provided to 914,031 beneficiaries, with 99% Aadhaar verification completed.
- Over 2.27 million home visits were conducted, leading to the identification and intervention for thousands of malnutrition and anemia cases.
- 116 Homes and Child Care Institutions have been established under Mission Vatsalya.
- Social security pensions are provided to 955,958 beneficiaries, and Rs. 130 crore was used to support 26,000 marriages.
Future Initiatives:
- 11 Shakti Sadans (women’s shelter homes) will be fully operationalized, with 5 additional centers planned.
- 500 more AWCs will be upgraded to Saksham AWCs by 2025-26.
- Two residential schools “Abhinanda Home” will be established for marginalized children.
