Sonowal for revamp of Social Welfare Department

Chief Minister asks department to monitor works of 164 schemes being done by various NGOs

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, June 10: Besides issuing a directive to keep watch on the works of various schemes being implemented by NGOs in the State Social Welfare Department, State Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal has asked the Chief Secretary to trifurcate the Social Welfare Department into three directorates – one each for women, children and differently-abled people – for, what he said, infusing a fresh lease of life and ensuring proper development.

The Chief Minister today reviewed the works of the Social Welfare Department at a meeting in his conference hall. Sonowal asked the Additiol Chief Secretary to prepare a proposal to facilitate creation of three Directorates for the welfare of Women, Children and for Specially-challenged persons under Social Welfare Department. To add more teeth and help the Department to live up to its mandate, Sonowal also exhorted the need of taking more welfare-oriented schemes by the Department.  In sync with the schemes of the Centre, Sonowal also laid emphasis on taking schemes which will be force-multiplier for the development.

Sonowal moreover said, “The need of the hour is to lend more transparency and accountability to help the department to render its services effectively for the welfare of women, children and specially challenged persons”. To bring in more transparency in the procurement and distribution of its services, Sonowal also directed the departmental authority to go for ‘on-line’ and ‘e-tendering’. The Department has also been asked to take more measures against gender based discrimition.

The Chief Minister also sought performance reports of 230 Integrated Child Development Schemes (ICDS) and 62,158 Anganwadi Centres active in the State. He also called for an exhaustive approach for a comprehensive development of children and pregnt women.

Sonowal also asked the Department to take up the execution part of all the schemes up on a mission mode and the 164 schemes being undertaken by voluntary organizations have to be monitored to assess their effectiveness. The Chief Minister was also apprised that the State has received Rs 527 crore under ICDS and Rs 336 crore under Special Nutrition Project (SNP) and top priorities have been accorded for their early completion.

Additiol Chief Secretary TY Das, Principal Secretary of Social Welfare Department Hemanta rzary and host of other top officers were present at the meeting.