KATHUA: Dr Anju Bala, Member of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), chaired a meeting of district and sectoral officers at the conference hall of the DC office in Kathua.
The meeting aimed to review the implementation of policies and programmes for the welfare of the SC community in the region. The NCSC Member reviewed progress in pending cases under Prevention of Atrocities against SCs and discussed challenges in implementing programmes and policies effectively.
Director NCSC, SK Singh; Deputy Commissioner Rahul Pandey, Senior Superintendent of Police, Shivdeep Singh Jamwal and other district officers were present.
Dr Bala took a comprehensive sector-wise review and discussed modalities followed by institutions to extend benefits to the SC community under various schemes, including Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), Ujjwala Yojana and Jan Dhan Yojana. The meeting also discussed issues such as increasing school dropout rates, bank loan cases sanctioned to SCs, crime and conviction rates against SCs and other welfare measures.
Emphasising the need for awareness and education to empower marginalised communities, Dr Bala directed CEO Kathua to conduct regular visits and organise awareness camps in areas with high numbers of out-of-school children to ensure their enrolment.
The NCSC Member urged officials to conduct regular monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes for the welfare of the SC community and ensure effective implementation.
She emphasised the need to continue working towards an inclusive and just society through empowerment and awareness of the SC community. Officials were urged to take prompt action to address concerns raised by the SC community and ensure timely redressal of grievances.
Later, Dr Bala met delegations including SHGs and NGOs and assured them of support in their endeavours.