J-K govt working to uplift soci-economic status of weaker sections: Dy CM

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta today said the state government was committed to uplift the socio-economic status of economically weaker sections of society.

Inclusive and equitable development of the state is priority of the present government, he said after distributing payment authority letters (PALs), worth Rs 15.97 lakh, among beneficiaries of state and centrally sponsored schemes from the Schedule Castes, Schedule Tribes and Backward Classes categories.

The PALs were given at a function here organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes Development Corporation Limited.

The deputy chief minister said the main objective of PALs was to provide easy subsidised financial assistance to the educated unemployed youth for starting their own enterprises in the manufacturing, services and trade sectors.

Gupta urged the unemployed youth to take benefit of such schemes for starting their own ventures.

The government is aware of the issues of the common masses, especially that of unemployed youths and weaker sections, he said.

Steps are being taken for effective implementation of various welfare schemes so that genuine people benefit from them, Gupta said.

He lauded the role of the corporation for its consistent efforts to improve the lives of disadvantaged people in Jammu and Kashmir through on-point implementation of welfare schemes launched by the government.

"The corporation is doing yeoman's service towards welfare and development of the underprivileged segments of society," Gupta said.

He asked corporation authorities to give wide publicity to the welfare schemes available for the targeted group and cover all areas of the state.

The deputy chief minister hoped that the corporation will continue its noble activities to mitigate the sufferings of weaker sections, disabled persons and others.