Sakeena Itoo leads mega outreach programme of Social Welfare department at Baramulla

BARAMULLA : The Social Welfare department on Monday organized a mega awareness camp at Baramulla for all the three districts of North Kashmir viz; Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora to promote awareness for saturation of more than 25 welfare schemes being implemented by the department.
Minister for Social Welfare, Education, Health & Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, was the chief guest during the camp, which was also attended by Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Elections, Javid Ahmad Dar besides Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani.
The event was also attended by Members of the Legislative Assembly from North Kashmir, including MLA Baramulla Javid Hassan Beigh, MLA Sopore Irshad Rasool Kar; MLA Wagoora-Kreeri, Irfan Hafiz Lone; MLA Uri Dr. Sajad Shafi, MLA Bandipora Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad; MLA Sonawari Hilal Akbar Lone; MLA Pattan Riyaz Ahmad Bedar; MLA Karnah Javaid Ahmad Mirchal; Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Dr. S.F. Hamid; MD POSHAN, Sajad Hussain Ganai; district and sectoral officers, anganwadi workers, helpers and a large number of local residents.
The awareness programme featured speeches, cultural performances and skits highlighting various flagship welfare initiatives and schemes being implemented by the Social Welfare Department, including Integrated Social Security Schemes (ISSS), ICDS, Poshan and other beneficiary-oriented programmes.
Speaking on the occasion, Sakeena Itoo appreciated the overwhelming participation of the Anganwari workers and helpers in the awareness programme and highlighted the importance of saturation of various welfare schemes to ensure comprehensive social protection.
The Minister acknowledged the invaluable contribution of ICDS workers and helpers in reaching the most vulnerable sections of society. She said the government fully recognizes their role and is actively working towards addressing their concerns, including issues related to enhancement of the honorarium.
Emphasizing the need for greater public outreach, the Minister urged the legislators to organize similar awareness programmes at the tehsil level in their respective constituencies to maximize awareness and ensure saturation of welfare schemes.
Addressing the gathering, Javid Dar congratulated Sakeena Itoo and the Social Welfare department for introducing significant reforms in the social welfare sector.
He underscored that the government has consistently prioritized the public welfare and has taken several people-centric decisions, including enhancement of assistance under various welfare schemes. He urged the field functionaries to actively educate the people about the schemes available so that every eligible beneficiary can avail government support.
Speaking on the occasion, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani emphasized that such awareness programmes should be extended to every far-flung area of the Union Territory so that no deserving household is left out of the welfare net. He said the government is committed to strengthen the welfare state by ensuring that benefits reach every eligible family, thereby helping reduce poverty.
Meanwhile, the Ministers and the MLAs, e-inaugurated the newly constructed CDPO offices at Wagoora in Baramulla and Sogam in Kupwara and three Anganwadi Centres in Singhpora and Rohama blocks of Baramulla district.
On the occasion, Sakeena Itoo distributed appointment orders among the newly selected Anganwadi workers and helpers. Sanction letters under the Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS), motorized tricycles and wheelchairs for persons with disabilities and baby kits were also distributed among the beneficiaries from the North Kashmir districts of Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora.
Earlier during the awareness camp, Sakeena Itoo accompanied by dignitaries inspected the stalls set up by the Social Welfare Department, Mission Shakti, Poshan and ICDS providing awareness regarding various beneficiary schemes.