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I will always remember Dr. Priya Ranjan not only as the Chairman of JK Monitor, but as a mentor, guide and elder brother whose kindness shaped my life and work. Write a tribute at JAMMU: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Social Welfare Department, during which the Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department, presented a detailed overview of the Department’s performance, implementation of the flagship schemes, financial status, infrastructure development and future priorities of the Department .
The meeting was attended by senior officers including Secretaries, Mission Directors of Mission Poshan, Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya, Directors of Social Welfare Jammu and Kashmir, Chairpersons of Advisory Boards and other concerned officials.
The review encompassed the functioning of Directorates, Mission Directorates, Advisory Boards, Corporations and statutory bodies under the Social Welfare Department, underscoring sustained efforts towards inclusive development, women empowerment, child welfare, nutrition security and social protection of vulnerable sections.
Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Sarmad Hafeez informed that the Department is working to uplift underserved sections through its Directorates, three Mission Directorates, Advisory Boards for Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes and Pahari-speaking people, and dedicated corporations including the J&K Women Development Corporation and J&K SC/ST & BC Development Corporation.
Reviewing the implementation of Mission Poshan and strengthening of Nutrition and Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), MD, Sajad Hussain Ganai informed that 99 per cent Anganwadi Centres have functional infrastructure with essential amenities.
He further gave out that the Saksham Anganwadis equipped with modern facilities are being operationalised across the UT, while more than 24,933 Anganwadi Workers have been trained under Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi. It was added that the Community-driven initiatives such as Poshan Melas, Tithi Bhoj, Village Health and Nutrition Days and Poshan on Wheels have significantly enhanced grassroots participation, alongside the introduction of VIDYARAMBH certificates to facilitate smooth transition of children to formal schooling.
With respect to implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), the meeting was apprised that the strong enrolment and disbursement were reported, with over 68,790 beneficiaries paid during 2025–26. It was noted that he integration of Aadhaar, NPCI and face recognition has streamlined beneficiary authentication.
The meeting was briefed that the scheme for Adolescent Girls under Poshan 2.0 is being effectively implemented in aspirational districts of Baramulla and Kupwara, covering over 24,900 girls with near-universal Aadhaar verification and optimal fund utilisation.
With regard to the implementation of Mission Shakti, the MD, Mohammad Akber highlighted that the Mission continues to play a pivotal role in women empowerment and safety. Over 2,500 awareness workshops have been conducted through District Hubs for Empowerment of Women, while 11 new Shakti Sadans and five Sakhi Niwas (Working Women Hostels) have been approved and are nearing operationalisation.
Moreover the One Stop Centres have assisted 2,727 women, Women Helpline–181 has handled more than 22,000 calls during FY 2025–26, and Nari Adalats have been operationalised in 50 Panchayats to resolve disputes at the grassroots level, the meeting was informed.
Reviewing Mission Vatsalya, the MD, Nazim Zia Khan informed that significant progress has been achieved in child protection and rehabilitation. Twenty-three Child Care Institutions including observation homes, special adoption agencies and open shelters have been established or approved.
He also informed that as many as 904 children have been rescued from child labour and begging, Child Helplines and Help Desks have been expanded, 111 adoptions have been facilitated since November 2022, and the Vatsalya Sadan at Jammu is complete and ready for inauguration.
On social security and pension schemes, it was stated that under the Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS) and NSAP, pensions are being provided to over 8.8 lakh beneficiaries including old-age persons, widows, persons with disabilities and transgender persons, with payments cleared up to November 2025.
Regarding flagship schemes such as Ladli Beti, Marriage Assistance Scheme, SAKSHAM for COVID-affected families, Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana, SMILE Scheme and Grant-in-Aid to NGOs it was acknowledged that these continue to extend vital financial and social support. Since inception, the Marriage Assistance Scheme has benefited over 1.58 lakh women with cumulative expenditure exceeding ₹757 Cr, as was given out during this meeting.
The Department has also undertaken extensive infrastructure development of old-age homes, hostels, composite homes, disability institutions and rehabilitation facilities. For FY 2025–26, ₹6,731 lakh has been approved under CAPEX, with works progressing across districts.
Achievements of statutory bodies were also reviewed, including issuance of over 2.24 lakh UDID cards by the J&K Commission for Persons with Disabilities, strengthening of SC/ST protection mechanisms, implementation of the NAMASTE Scheme for sanitation workers, and focused interventions by OBC and Pahari Advisory Boards.
Emphasising the future roadmap, the Chief Secretary stressed whole-of-government convergence, digital welfare governance, livelihood-linked assistance and universal social protection, with special focus on mother-and-child care, aspirational Anganwadis, skill development, self-employment and institutional strengthening to realise the goal of Viksit Bharat @2047.
