Sonowal asks Social Welfare Dept to fine-tune its functioning

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today directed the Social Welfare Department to fine-tune its functioning and provide nutrition to women and children who are from the underprivileged section of the society.

Sonowal had earlier directed the streamlining of the department which led to the deletion of the names of non-existent children with the number of beneficiaries pruned to 35 lakh, thereby providing a relief to the state exchequer to the tune of Rs 150 crore every year, an official release said.

Sonowal had ordered an inquiry into the allegation of fraudulently entering 'ghost names' and siphoning off money from the Anganwadi Centres in the state.

Sonowal also urged Social Welfare Department's Principal Secretary Jishnu Baruah to expeditiously complete the survey of the specially abled people so that the government's decision of providing financial assistance of Rs 12,000 to each disabled at the rate of Rs 1,000 per month can be given.

He also took stock of Integrated Child Development Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Deen Dayal Divyanjan Sahajya Achoni, Integrated Child Protection Scheme.

Sonowal also asked the Principal Secretary to use the budgetary allotment of Rs 400 lakh given for the first time to put a spanner on child marriage, child trafficking and child labour.

Social Welfare Minister Pramila Rani Brahma, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjay Lohiya and other senior officers of the department were also present at the meeting.