DC Kathua reviews implementation of Social Welfare schemes

Kathua : Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma Thursday chaired a review meeting of the Social Welfare Department to assess the implementation of various welfare schemes and programmes in the district.
The meeting was attended by Chief Planning Officer Ranjeet Thakur, District Social Welfare Officer Varun Chaudhary and officers of allied wings.
During the meeting, schemes being implemented by the Social Welfare Department and its allied wings were discussed in detail. The Deputy Commissioner reviewed various pension schemes under the Integrated Social Security Scheme including Old Age Pension, Women in Distress Pension, Physically Challenged Pension and Women Marriage Assistance.
The status of Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship schemes and Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana was also reviewed. The meeting further discussed initiatives under Mission Shakti in which women affected by violence in government as well as private places are provided support services including medical aid, legal aid, temporary shelter, police assistance and psychological counselling under one roof. The scheme Samarthya for empowerment of women was also reviewed.
Progress under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and Mission Vatsalya, including Pareesha and Palash components, was reviewed. Issues related to child abuse, child labour, rescue drives for abused children and the functioning of Child Helpline Number 1098 were also discussed.
The Deputy Commissioner stressed the need to strengthen the online presence of the department through social media handles for wider dissemination of information. He also directed the department to conduct awareness campaigns and programmes in far-flung and remote areas of the district so that people are informed about government schemes and programmes.
The DC said that the district administration is committed to reach out to people who are not familiar with government welfare schemes and to ensure that benefits reach the deserving sections of society.