Govt approves yet another social security scheme for girls, Cash assistance of Rs. 25000 for marriage

JAMMU, DECEMBER 02 : In the direction of fulfilling the aspirations of poor people, the Government has approved a well-tailored girl specific social scheme where-under all the girls above 18 years belonging to the BPL category shall be eligible for an assistance of Rupees twenty five thousands for their marriage. This ambitious scheme shall be applicable throughout the State for which the necessary guidelines will be issued soon.
Disclosing this at an awareness programme organized at Government Higher Secondary School Kote Bhalwal today, Minister for Social Welfare, Bali Bhagat said that Government accords top priority to address the problems of the poor people of the State and this is the step towards this. He said Government is equally sensitive to the alarming gap of female sex ratio in some of the districts of the State and this scheme will prove useful in promoting the girl child and improving the sex ratio.
Highlighting the ingredients of other important scheme Ladly Beti which was recently launched in the districts with poor female sex ratio, the Minister said that this scheme is aimed at securing the future of the new born girl child. Till attaining the age of 21 years, the beneficiary will be entitled for an amount of Rs. 6.50 lakh as the government will deposit rupees one thousand upto the age of 14 years in the account of the girls, who are born on or after 1st April, 2015. The parents whose income from all sources is upto Rs. 75000 and who are residents of the designated districts of the State, viz; Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Kishtwar, Srinagar, Pulwama, Budgam and Anantnag can register the names of the child with the social welfare department for availing the benefits of the scheme.
Asking the people to avail benefits of several welfare schemes launched by the State and Central Governments, the Minister said people should visit the nearby office of the social welfare department for the features of the schemes and apply for the same. He said the department from time to time highlights the schemes through newspapers, electronic media and awareness camps at different places, besides Sarpanchs/Panchs are also spreading the awareness in their areas about the schemes and people must take advantage of the programmes which are meant for their welfare and upliftment. He also called upon the department functionaries to reach out to the people by mobilizing all available resources in every nook and corner to provide benefits to the deserving beneficiaries.
Lauding the efforts of the youth of the area, especially BJP and social activist namely Mr. Gulshan Bhagat and his team for mobilizing the masses and arranging the awareness programme without taking assistance from any agency, Mr. Bali said that people must take inspiration from such persons who are dedicated to such social causes. He said eradicating social evils from the society is a collective endeavor and all likeminded should join hands and supplement government efforts, he asserted.
On the occasion, the students presented colorful bonanza of cultural activities based on the social evils like dowry, addiction, female foeticide, which kept the gathering spell bound. The Minister also distributed mementoes among the students who performed excellently.
The Minister also distributed cheques amounting to Rs. 5.76 lakh amongst 48 beneficiaries under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) for construction of toilets in the Bhalwal Bhalwal.