Union Minister Smriti Irani Frowns At The Slow Progress of Social Welfare Department

GUWAHATI: Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani has frowned at the abysmally slow progress of schemes in the State Social Welfare Department, especially in two schemes – ‘Poshan’ and ‘Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana’. Union Minister Smriti Irani has set a target for the Department to get the schemes implemented.

Irani, who was in Guwahati on Tuesday, reviewed the progress of various schemes of the State Social Welfare department. State Social Welfare Minister Pramila Rani Brahma was also present at the review meeting that was held in Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s residence.

During the review meeting, Irani found little progress in the two schemes which the Prime Minister has been laying special emphasis on. She has asked the department to specify the reasons behind such a dismal performance in both the schemes. She also told the Department that the other States of the nation have made much progress in the implementation of these two schemes.

On its part, the Department has cited the panchayat poll, the Lok Sabha poll and deployment of its officials on NRC duty as reasons behind its poor performance. Irani then asked the Department to speed up its works and set a deadline for the implementation of the two schemes. “There won’t be any dearth of funds. I want progress,” sources quoted the Union Minister as telling the department.

Talking to The Sentinel later, State Social Welfare Minister Pramila Rani Brahma said: “We’ve pointed out the genuine reasons behind the slow progress of schemes. We’ve assured the Union Minister of exceeding 50 per cent of works by this year. We’ve already called tenders for the two schemes. However, the process had to be stopped because of the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha poll. I, however, don’t rule out the presence of lacunae in our Department.”

While ‘Poshan’ aims to improve nutritional status of children from 0-6 years, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers; ‘Matru Vandana’ is a scheme meant for maternity benefits.

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