ITBP should expand scope of wives' welfare wing: Maneka

Union Minister Maneka Gandhi today asked border-guarding force ITBP to widen the scope of its wives' welfare association for the greater well-being of its personnel even as she assured financial aid from government to facilitate efforts in that direction.
Inaugurating a three-day 'mela' organised by the force here, the Women and Child Development Minister said that Indo- Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) should initiate special projects for production of quality eatables and other items by the women relatives and other family members of the troops, adding also that these products should be marketed well.
She said a special scholarship scheme awarded by her ministry to help women entrepreneurs could be extended to the kin of ITBP personnel in order to promote their skills.

Gandhi said the force could do many more things for the welfare of their personnel and their families and efforts should be made to impart new skills which will ensure better earnings for them as compared to the mostly low-paying jobs for which they are trained.
She said that even as paramilitary personnel and officials guard the nation's borders away from their families, there are huge opportunities for their women relatives to explore avenues for economic growth.
The 'mela' has been organised by the ITBP wives' welfare association and will continue till November 8 at Sector-12 RK Puram in south Delhi. It features various goods and artifacts from various parts of the country.

Sheila Chaudhary, President of the association and wife of ITBP chief Krishna Chaudhary, said the proceeds from the fair will be used for the welfare of the troops and their families.
ITBP is tasked with guarding the 3,488-km-long Sino-Indian border and also renders a variety of security duties in the country and abroad.