SHOPIAN: To provide succor to economically and socially disadvantaged sections of the society, the Social Welfare Department in Shopian District has so far released Rs. 319.77 lakh as advance pension to 11239 beneficiaries registered under Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS) and National Social Assistance Program (NSAP) pension schemes to empower them economically and to ensure that no needy or destitute family faces financial constraints during lockdown.
District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) Shopian has been proactive in providing financial assistance to widows, old aged persons, orphans and other destitute population of the district and monthly pension has been released in advance to enable all these needy to sustain their normal life during the present crisis.
As per the details, 8198 beneficiaries registered under ISSS are getting monthly pension in District Shopian. To ease out their financial constraints and enable them to fetch ration and medicine, District Social Welfare Office has released assistance of Rs. 2000 per person and so far an amount of Rs. 163.96 lakh as advance pension has been credited for months of March and April into the accounts of these beneficiaries. Similarly under NSAP, there are 2171 beneficiaries registered with the department and getting monthly pension from the department and during the lockdown Social Welfare office has disbursed Rs. 43.42 lakh as advance pension for March and April and credited it directly into the accounts of these beneficiaries.
Meanwhile the Department in first week of April sanctioned 838 new cases under Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS) for 100% coverage of pending pension cases in the district. Despite all odds and challenges, District Social Welfare Officer, Mohammad Shafat and Tehsil Social Welfare Officer, Farhana Tak completed the task of verification of 838 forms within a week.
“The sanction and release of pension of Rs. 8.38 lakh for month of April to these 838 new cases became possible only because of the dedication and hard-work of the officials of social welfare department, who worked round the clock to complete this job in a time bound manner,” said DSWO Shopian. “At the time of Eid ul Fitr festival, DSWO office also released advance pension for month of May and with the support of district administration, the employees of DSWO put in all efforts and released Rs. 112.39 Lac to 9036 and 2203 beneficiaries under ISSS and NSAP respectively,” he added.
Giving further details DSWO said that under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) additional amount of Rs. 2.86 lakh at rate of Rs. 500 each was provided to 455 widows and 117 disabled persons who are already covered National Social Assistance Program. During first week of lockdown Rs. 20000 was released each to 11 families who lost their sole bread earners under National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS).
DSWO further said that amid COVID 19 lockdown the office has ensured timely release of scholarships to destitute, physically challenged and students belonging to OBC category. During first week of lockdown, Rs. 24.89 lakh as scholarship has been disbursed to 2679 students including Rs. 23.95 lakh as pre-matric scholarship to 2556 OBC students; Rs. 73800 to Physically Challenged and Rs. 20700 to 26 destitute students. Social Welfare office has also verified 34384 online forms on National Scholarship Portal which includes 25515 for pre-matric, 8472 for post-matric and 397 for Merit-cum-Mean scholarships whereas 557 online scholarship forms of students belonging to OBC/EBC categories have been processed on the State Portal.
Referring to children in need of care & protection, DSWO said that 58 identified children for non-institutional care were provided Rs. 5.80 lakh in the month of April. “Besides special attention is being given to address physical, psychological and emotional needs of children residing in Child Care Institutions. Regular counseling and medical checkups are being arranged for them for their physical and mental wellbeing and they are provided with adequate stock of masks, sanitizers, hand wash and soaps,” said DSWO Shopian.

KR Desk