| Welfare of poor girls: HC summons SWD secy, all DCs of Kashmir on June 13 | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar June 11:A division bench of high court has summoned secretary of social welfare department, all deputy commissioners (DCs) as well as social welfare officers of Kashmir over implementation of State Marriage Assistance Scheme (SMAS) and Hunar Scheme in the valley. "Persusal of the compliance report would show that the purpose, sought to be achieved by launching SMAS and Hunar Scheme, instead of being accomplished, is rather defeated," the bench of Justice M H Attar and Justice A M Magrey said while hearing a PIL. "It appears that most of the DCs and District Social Welfare Officers are not alive to the sensitivities of these two schemes. In view of the social importance attached to this PIL, we would like to hear it in the ensuing vacations on Monday," the court said and asked the registrar judicial to place the matter before Chief Justice for listing of the case on June 13. "On next date of hearing, besides SWD secretary, all DCs and District Social Welfare Officers of Kashmir division shall remain present in person before the court," the bench said, stating that officers were being summoned to sensitize them about the social importance of the two schemes and their immediate implementation at the ground level.
"The compliance reports, filed so far, would show that the officers concerned were either unaware of the sensitivity of schemes or were lacking the requisite will to implement them," the court added.
Under SMAS, an eligible girl beneficiary will be entitled to get one time financial assistance of Rs 25,000 and five grams of gold while Hunnar is a skill development programme for the girls living below poverty line.
The court passed the directions in a PIL titled Muhammad Amin Beigh v/s state and others.
The District Magistrate, Srinagar, had slapped detention order under PSA on Beigh for allegedly exploiting girls under the garb of providing them jobs. Beigh had challenged the order in the high court.
However, the Court dismissed his plea and subsequently passed series of directions to the government asking it to take steps to ensure rehabilitation of poor girls in the state. |
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