Lt Governor reviews extension of benefits under various Social welfare schemes

Jammu, May 26: In order to review the extension of benefits under various welfare schemes, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Wednesday chaired a meeting, here at Raj Bhavan, in which he called upon the concerned officials to put dedicated efforts in ensuring 100% saturation of social security & beneficiary-oriented schemes across J&K.
While reviewing the coverage of eligible beneficiaries under 55 flagship schemes implemented in J&K, and category-wise status of Beneficiary Oriented Schemes, the Lt Governor expressed satisfaction over several welfare schemes reaching maximum saturation, despite the Covid pandemic.
The meeting was informed that 100% target has been achieved under SAUBHAGYA, PM Ujjwala Yojana ,UJALA, Mission Indradhanush, Social Security Schemes–Pension under NSAP & ISSS, PM Matru Vandana Yojana Kisan Credit Card, PM Mudra Yojna, MGNREGS, Merit cum Means Minority Scholarship, IDSRR-Scheme for Sheep Farm Units, DBT-LPG and National Youth Corps.
Minority Pre-Matric Scholarship has gone up by 391% with 4,49,424 beneficiaries covered against the targeted 1,14,856. Minority Post-Matric also registered excellent numbers with 287% saturation, thus taking the tally of beneficiaries to 53,403.
With a view to provide succour to women in distress, the Lt Governor directed the officials to ensure functioning of “One Stop Centre for Women” across all districts to support them, besides Observation centres, special & shelter homes for children in every district of the UT.
The Lt Governor asked the Department of Social Welfare, Higher Education and Department of School Education to ensure that every eligible child is covered under respective scholarship without discrimination.
We have a collective responsibility to make sure that no eligible beneficiary is left behind. Take comprehensive measures to reach out to every eligible beneficiary, besides making the welfare schemes, envisioned by the Centre and the UT Government, easily accessible to the people so that maximum population can reap the benefits, the Lt Governor asked the officers.
While reviewing the implementation of various modules of education through telecasting, radio, online and community classes, in view of Covid pandemic, the Lt Governor directed the Education Department to make modules more interactive.
Focus on early and primary education in the curriculum for laying a strong foundation for the future, added the Lt Governor.
During the meeting, the Lt Governor sought a detailed status of progress made under Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, Social Security Schemes-Pension, other Social Security Schemes, Schemes for Students, Schemes for Farmers, Schemes for Skill Development/ Entrepreneurship/ Subsidies, Bank-linked Schemes, Schemes for Social Welfare and Minority Affairs (Beneficiaries disbursed through approved Institutes/NGOs/Agencies).
Sheetal Nanda, Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare Department briefed the chair about the coverage of welfare schemes for the year 2020-21.
She informed that around 3,47,405 beneficiaries were covered SAUBHAGYA till March 31,2021; the benefits of PM Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) were extended to 12,60,685 beneficiaries; 25,09,000 benefited under PM Jan Dhan Yojna(PMJDY); 9,26,000 under PM Suraksha Bima Yojna(PMSBY); PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) covered around 3,95,000 beneficiaries.
Under Ayushman Bharat, 14,79,649 Golden cards have been issued with 51.24 cr amount paid for the settlement of bills; 134558 Houses were sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G) ; 12,85,217 beneficiaries were covered under Kisan Credit Card Scheme, besides benefits of PM Mudra Yojna were extended to 2.93 lakh souls, it was informed.
BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Finance Department; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; BK Singh, Secretary School Education; Sushma Chauhan, Administrative Secretary, Higher Education Department and other senior officers attended the meeting, in person and through virtual mode.