4th April 2005, The Jammu and Kashmir government is planning to launch an ambitious social security scheme under which Rs 5,000 would be deposited in the name of every new-born girl child belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in the state. This amount to be deposited in the bank could be encashed along with interest by the beneficiary after attaining the age of 20 years so that this amount could be utilized for the upkeep of her livelihood, Minister for Social Welfare Mula Ram told the Legislative Council yesterday while replying the debate on functioning of social welfare department.

The minister said 19 more Integrated Child Development (ICD) projects have been sanctioned raising the number from 121 to 140 in the state. With the establishment of 8,317 new Anganwari centres under Prime Minister's package the number would now increase to 18,772 and will benefit about 4.21 lakh children, lactating and pregnant women and adolescent girls, he said.

The Jammu and Kashmir has become the first state to introduce a contributory social security scheme to benefit marginal workers, he said adding, about 14 lakh workers are targeted to be benefited by the scheme under which government and the beneficiary each would contribute Rs 100 per month for a period of 10 years in J and K bank. Two trauma centres one each at Srinagar Bone and Joint hospital and Government Medical College hospital Jammu have been established to treat militancy victims who suffer from trauma. The minister said due care is being taken to ensure education to orphans of militancy victims, welfare of their widows for which a mechanism has been evolved to reach out and identify such families and individuals.

The minister said 14 hostels for the students belonging to SC/ST and OBC categories would be constructed in every college under PM's package. He said Rs 50 lakh has been provided to construct a Pahari Bhawan at Jammu, while two Pahari hostels are being constructed at Kupwara and Jammu.
Rs 3.50 crore has been provided as pre-matric scholarship to 1.63 lakh students during the past over two years, he said. The department is providing scholarship to SC, and OBC students to enable them to complete their studies, he said adding that about 1,51,500 students falling under these categories have been provided scholarships involving Rs 6.6 crore. He said scholarships to the tune of Rs 16 lakh has also been provided to 5,000 pahari speaking students. The social welfare department is going to sign an agreement with the Jammu and Kashmir bank for disbursement of financial assistance to the beneficiaries being provided pension under various schemes including national old age pension, integrated social security scheme, pension to the physically challenged.

Source: The Hindu