Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy asks officials to ensure welfare reaches to intended sections

Amaravati: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy asked the officials to take utmost care in implementing the welfare schemes and see to it that they reach out to the intended beneficiaries, during a review meeting of Women and Child Welfare Department.

Whether using biometric devices or iris identification system or video screening, the Chief Minister said that the formalities and procedures in implementation should not be complicated and the purpose of the scheme should be served by ensuring that a maximum number of people will get the benefit out of the schemes.

A helpline should be set up at Village Secretariats to respond to the emergencies arising out of the villages and a proper mechanism should be evolved to meet such needs. Compensation amount to a tune of Rs 7.48 crores was kept pending by the previous government, the officials told the Chief Minister who said that the amount should be released immediately. All district collectors will get a fund of Rs one crore each for meeting such emergencies.

The Chief Minister also enquired about the possibility of starting Village level courts to settle expeditiously petty and minor disputes of land and other issues.

Expressing concern over nearly 7,000 kids not joining schools from Anganwadis, the Chief Minister asked the officials to take effective steps to check the drop-outs and admit them to schools after assessing their abilities and join them in the class they would best fit in.

Focus on women's health, as anaemia rate is higher among women. Necessary steps and care should be taken by carrying out timely tests and providing treatment without delay.

The officials had said that Rs 22.50 is being spent on each pregnant woman by the Government and the Chief Minister had stressed on maintaining quality and hygiene. Care should also be taken on child health and pictures of the present-day Anganwadis should be taken for comparison in the next three years.

Efforts should be on to make use of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), funding by NRIs and contributions by philanthropists for women and child welfare, he said adding that physically challenged people should be provided with all the equipment they need. Counselling Centres should be set up for alcoholics, he added.