Bandipora : The Director, Sainik Welfare Department, J&K, conducted an Ex-Servicemen (ESM) Outreach Programme on Saturday at the remote border area of Gurez in Bandipora district.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from Ex-Servicemen and widows of Ex-Servicemen.
Addressing the gathering, the Director highlighted the Department’s three key focus areas viz. healthcare and medical initiatives for Ex-Servicemen, employment and self-employment opportunities for Ex-Servicemen and their wards, and educational incentives for the children of Ex-Servicemen.
He urged eligible Ex-Servicemen aspiring to secure Government jobs under the 6% reservation quota for Ex-Servicemen in Jammu & Kashmir to prepare themselves adequately and obtain the required qualifying marks to improve their chances of selection.
Encouraging entrepreneurship, the Director advised Ex-Servicemen interested in self-employment to approach the Department for guidance on various Government schemes and skill development programmes. He particularly encouraged them to explore opportunities in agriculture and tourism sectors with significant growth potential in the Gurez region.
The Director informed the participants that the Department will be proposing several new welfare initiatives during the forthcoming meeting of the State Managing Committee on the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. The proposed initiatives are aimed at strengthening medical assistance, re-employment support, self-employment promotion, and educational incentives for the Ex-Servicemen community and their dependents.
He also apprised the gathering that the Department is actively pursuing the establishment of a Zila Sainik Welfare Office (ZSWO) at Bandipora to improve accessibility of welfare services for Ex-Servicemen residing in the district.
During the interaction, the Director patiently listened to the issues and suggestions raised by the participants and assured them that the Department would examine their concerns and take appropriate action wherever feasible.
Highlighting the Department’s efforts to improve outreach, the Director announced the launch of an E-Outreach Initiative to complement the existing physical outreach programmes conducted by Zila Sainik Welfare Offices. He directed the ZSWO Baramulla, who is also responsible for Gurez, to conduct an online outreach session once every fortnight and urged Ex-Servicemen from the area to actively participate in these virtual interactions.
The Director also appealed to the Ex-Servicemen community to actively support the Plastic-Free Gurez campaign launched by the District Administration. He observed that maintaining a clean and plastic-free Gurez would enhance the region’s appeal as a tourist destination, thereby contributing to the growth of the local economy and creating additional livelihood opportunities for residents.
The outreach programme concluded reaffirming the Department’s commitment to strengthening its engagement with the Ex-Servicemen fraternity, particularly those residing in remote and border areas of Jammu & Kashmir.
