Sakeena Itoo directs JK Bank to drop PAN, Form 16 requirements for low income group in SW schemes

SRINAGAR: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo today chaired a meeting at Civil Secretariat here to discuss various issues arising during the release of benefits under various flagship social welfare schemes like Old Age Pension, Widow Pension, Ladli Beti, Marriage Assistance, Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS) and others through Jammu and Kashmir Bank .

The meeting was attended by Director Social Welfare Kashmir, Secretary in Social Welfare department, Director Finance Social Welfare department, senior representatives of Jammu and Kashmir Bank and other concerned officers.

Addressing the officers during the meeting, Minister Sakeena emphasized on the facilitation of common people, especially those belonging to downtrodden communities and low income group. She called upon the officers for timely disbursal of payments under various schemes to eligible beneficiaries in strict adherence to eligibility norms.

“Social welfare is not just about disbursement, it is about dignity, inclusion and empowerment of people, especially those in need. Every eligible citizen must feel the impact of these welfare schemes in their daily lives and we must work towards complete saturation with accountability at every level”, Minister Sakeena stated.

The Minister directed the officers to streamline the process of disbursal of payments to beneficiaries and sort out the issues related to Aadhaar seeding of the beneficiaries. She also called upon the JK Bank representatives to do away with procedures like PAN or Form 16 requirements for these beneficiaries as they belong to lower income group.

Minister Sakeena further asked the Social Welfare department to revisit the MoU held with J&K Bank by the department for implementation of Ladli Beti scheme and update some conditions in it for the facilitation of beneficiaries.

While reviewing some other issues related to smooth saturation of social sector schemes, the Minister emphasized on the importance of transparent mechanism, highlighting that delays and duplications should be completely avoided during disbursement of payments to beneficiaries.