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Baramulla: The Jammu and Kashmir government has intensified its public outreach campaign to ensure wider access to social welfare schemes, with senior leaders and elected representatives participating in a major programme in Baramulla district on Monday. The event focused on increasing awareness among people about government assistance programmes and improving the last-mile delivery of benefits to eligible beneficiaries.
Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani (Sogami), Jammu and Kashmir Ministers Sakina Itoo and Javed Ahmad Dar, along with Members of the Legislative Assembly, attended the outreach programme organised to connect citizens directly with government departments and welfare officials. The programme highlighted the importance of creating awareness about various schemes implemented by the Social Welfare Department, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Women Development Corporation (WDC), and other institutions working for economically weaker and socially disadvantaged sections.
Government officials and representatives discussed the need for effective implementation of welfare initiatives meant for women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other vulnerable communities. The focus remained on ensuring transparency, accessibility and timely delivery of government benefits. The outreach event also acted as a direct public grievance and information platform, where citizens were informed about eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, application procedures and the process to avail benefits under different welfare schemes.
Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Health and Education Sakina Itoo announced several welfare measures during the programme, including initiatives aimed at supporting women, Anganwadi workers, helpers and economically weaker families. She informed that the government has prepared a Cabinet proposal to provide compassionate appointment opportunities to a family member of a deceased Anganwadi worker without requiring a fresh recruitment advertisement. The move is aimed at providing financial stability to families who lose their primary earning member.
The Minister said the contribution of Anganwadi workers and helpers in implementing child development and nutrition programmes remains crucial and the government is working towards addressing their long-standing concerns. The government is also examining measures related to age relaxation for contractual employees and steps to ensure employment support for families of deceased workers, according to officials.
During the Baramulla outreach programme, Sakina Itoo highlighted several welfare decisions taken by the Jammu and Kashmir government for disadvantaged sections. The financial assistance provided for the marriage of poor women has been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000. The government has also enhanced pension benefits for widows and senior citizens as part of its social security expansion programme.
The Minister said efforts are being made to ensure that welfare schemes reach every eligible household and that lack of awareness does not prevent people from receiving government assistance. She also highlighted the initiative of providing free education for girls up to Class 12, aimed at reducing dropout rates and encouraging higher participation of girls in schools.
The leaders at the event stressed that government welfare schemes can achieve their objectives only when people know about their availability and application process. They appealed to local representatives, community leaders, civil society organisations and government departments to work together in spreading awareness at the village level.
The programme witnessed interaction between beneficiaries and officials, helping people understand various government services and resolve queries related to welfare assistance. During the event, appointment orders, tricycles, hearing aids and other support equipment were distributed among beneficiaries as part of government assistance initiatives.
Sakina Itoo also reiterated the National Conference’s commitment towards restoration of full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. She said the party would continue raising the demand for restoration of statehood and described it as a major political commitment.
The issue of statehood restoration has remained a key concern in Jammu and Kashmir politics following the reorganisation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories in 2019. The Minister said the government’s priority is inclusive development, social justice and ensuring equal opportunities for all sections of society.
Officials from the Social Welfare Department and district administration were present during the programme. The administration emphasised that regular awareness campaigns and public participation are necessary for successful implementation of welfare schemes.
The Baramulla outreach initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen citizen-government communication, improve service delivery mechanisms and ensure that welfare benefits reach every deserving family across Jammu and Kashmir. The programme concluded with an appeal to residents to actively participate in awareness drives and approach government departments to access available schemes and support services.
