Baladi: Kashmir is moving towards development

Peace reigns in Jammu and Kashmir and life is returning to normal as the Government of India provides all possible assistance to the people in implementing new social welfare schemes and plans. “The lives of millions of men and women across the Kashmir Valley have begun to improve through the creative programs that the new Union Territories have adopted and diligently implemented,” said a press release from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

“These programs include pension plans for adults, scholarships for students, nursing and nutritional supplements for pregnant mothers, and the safety and health of thousands of children in public and private orphanages,” the statement said. All residents can get comprehensive and free health insurance benefits. The result was an unusual increase in the region’s happiness index, which has been in the news for so many years.

Since the reorganization of the state which was once divided into two Union Territories, one of which is Jammu and Kashmir and the other Ladakh, the local authorities have worked hard, on August 5, 2019, to implement a series of new social welfare schemes. Plans. The Federal Territory celebrated its first year of establishment on August 5 this year. Senior citizens, young students, women, orphans and even transgender people can now avail pension benefits from this year.

More than 800,000 people have benefited from pensions distributed under the Integrated Social Security Scheme. A total of 320,000 people in Kashmir, in addition to 170,000 people, of whom 85,000 are from Kashmir, have been added to the list of beneficiaries this year. Those not covered by the scheme were included in the National Social Assistance Program, a central government-sponsored scheme where pensions are deposited directly into their bank accounts.

More than 150,000 people have benefited from this project. This year, in addition to their ordinary pension, the beneficiaries have been given an additional INR 500 per person. These beneficiaries include widows and those with special needs. The number of beneficiaries is being increased to cover a large number of widows, the elderly and the physically challenged in the Federal Territory, and the number of such beneficiaries is now 7,42,950. In addition to the free health insurance coverage of Rs 500,000 per family per year on a floating basis, there are no restrictions on family size, age or gender. They will have access to 20,853 hospitals (public and private) across the country and will have access to inter-state transport facilities. There are about 159 hospitals (public and private) in the Federal District that are not currently registered. Insurance will cover 1,469 medical and surgical packages / procedures, including serious diseases such as cancer and kidney failure.

The statement added that the number of scholarships for students in the Kashmir Valley has increased across all spectrum. For example, poor families, minorities, economically backward classes, cleaners and sweepers benefit from various scholarship schemes. With more than 800,000 students in the Federal District, the proportion of these students has increased by 250%, of whom 550,000 are from the Valley. To date, about 600,000 students have been awarded scholarships before and after their studies. Special emphasis was placed on helping and assisting children living in institutional care.

During the COVID-19 epidemic, local authorities rushed to buy masks, sanitizers and hand-washing equipment for children with special grants. A special committee was also formed to monitor the health of the children and ensure availability of medical services and healthy nutrition. A special helpline (No. 112) was established to assist women affected by domestic violence and other hardships, in addition, special funds were provided for the supply of rice for three months. There is no doubt that times are changing for the betterment of the Kashmir Valley and its people.