Sunderbani, Jan 1: Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo has asked the functionaries of the Social Welfare Department to inculcate the verve of social service because “selfless service to the society is the best worship.”
 The Minister was speaking at an awareness camp here on Saturday.
 She distributed pension cheques worth Rs. 6 lakh among 431 beneficiaries of Rajouri district under different schemes. She also handed over appointment orders to 15 women.
 Among others, Vice Chairman, Pahari Speaking Board, Mushtaq Ahmad Bukhari, Vice Chairman, Kisan Development Board,  Rashpal Singh, MLA, Bimla Luthra, Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri G.A.Khawaja, Director Social Welfare, Jammu Mehmood Rana and  senior officers of social welfare department were present on the occasion.
 Sakina said the purpose of holding such awareness camps is to sensitize people, living in rural and hilly areas, about the welfare schemes being run by the department.
 She said earlier such camps have been organized in Kashmir also, adding the need is to organize such camps in other parts of the Jammu division so that maximum people could be brought under the ambit of welfare schemes.
 Sakina said that Government is paying old age pension to 3.50 lakh persons while 50,000 more applications are waiting for approval. She asked the officers of the department to follow strictly the norms fixed by the Centre, adding BPL category is the most deserving to avail the benefit of these schemes.
 The Minister said that engagement of 3500 Anganwari workers and helpers is under progress while case for opening of more 6500 centre has been forwarded to the Central Government for approval.
 Referring to the de-weeding process, the Minister instructed the officers to start it so that other deserving persons could be accommodated.
 The Minister said that pension under several schemes has been enhanced and the Anganwari workers and helpers would be absorbed on permanent establishment of the department in a phased manner but strictly on seniority basis.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 1 Jan 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 1 Jan 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 2 Jan 2011 00:00:00 IST