Jammu, Jan 7: All out efforts are being made by the government to minimize difficulties of old aged, physically challenged persons, people living Below Poverty Line and the women in distress, said the Minister for Social Welfare, Ms Sakina Itoo, adding that 73,000 persons living blow poverty line ( BPL) would be brought under the ambit of Indra Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) soon.
 She said a massive programme has been launched to bring more such population under the welfare schemes of the department.
 The Minister was speaking at a joint meeting of the officers of J&K Bank and Social Welfare department, held here today to explore possibilities for opening of separate counters at specific JK Bank branches exclusively for the beneficiaries, receiving monthly pension from Social Welfare Department.
 Vice President, J&K Bank,   R. K. Shah, Director Social Welfare, Srinagar,   Hilal Ahmad Parray, Director Social Welfare, Jammu,   Mehmood Rana, Joint Director Planning besides and other senior officers of the department were present.
 The Minister said that it is our social responsibility to know the problems of this section of society and come forward for redressing the same. She emphasized upon the officers to work for improving their socio economic status so that they can also live a dignified life.
  Ms Sakina said opening of separate counters in specific branches of J&K Bank would go a long way in minimizing the difficulties of the persons especially  physically challenged and downtrodden.
 The Minister said that need of the hour is to made joint efforts for removing the sufferings of this section of the society. ”Service to the society is service to God” said Ms Sakina, adding that JK bank has to play a vital role in this regard.
 Shah said that 60 service centers of the bank , exclusively for making payment to the pensioners, would start functioning  from March this year. He said the beneficiaries of Social Welfare Department would also get their payments through these centers.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 7 Jan 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 7 Jan 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 8 Jan 2011 00:00:00 IST