Sakina, Saifullah inaugurate girls hostel for Pahari students at Kupwara KUPWARA, AUGUST 29: Minister for Social Welfare, Ms. Sakina Itoo alongwith Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Mir Saifullah on Thursday inaugurated Government girls hostel for Pahari students at Kupwara. Vice-Chairman of State Advisory Board for Development of Pahari Speaking People, Kafeel–ur-Rehman and MLC, Kupwara, Sayeed Rafiq Ahmad Shah were also present. Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Sakina said that since Omar Abdullah took the reins of the present dispensation, a lot of new welfare schemes have been launched for weaker, downtrodden, SC, ST, Gujjar, Bakerwals and the people of Pahari community living in the far flung and remote areas. She said that presently five lakh people are being benefited by many welfare schemes including Old age pension, Widow Pension, scholarships and said that by opening of Second Pahari Hostel in Kupwara, the number of its have gone to nine and added that the Government is considering establishment of more such hostel in other district headquarters also, so that the children of this community may be equally share holders of the progress made in the education sector and hoped that by nurturing these children belonging to far flung and neglected areas would once bring happiness on their faces as till date they have not been any kind of chance to come out from backward areas. The Minister said that this Hostel is providing accommodation facilities to one hundred children from Class 6th to Class 12th, however, presently only 50 Pahari girls of the 6th class have been registered in the Hostel and they are being provided all facilities including boarding, lodging, uniform, books and other stationary articles free of cost. She said that monthly expenditure on diet and other items would be Rs.1.50 lacks and the Government kept funds to the tune of Rs.11 lakh each for establishment of Pahari Hostels. She said that Government Boys Pahari Hostel is already functional in its own building and add that it is a welcome step for nurturing the children of this remote community on modern lines and hoped this would yield tangible results on the ground in near future. She that after 2008, the Pahari Community may be able to get its recognition and came forward for equally sharing the developmental benefits of various schemes launched by the Government. On the occasion, She asked Pahari Community leaders, including DDC, Kupwara to identify State land for construction of its own building. She said that the present dispensation have fulfilled near about its 80 percent promises made in his manifesto. The Minister stressed upon the management including warden of the Hostel to properly maintain the hostel and give proper attention on the children. Ms Sakina also asked the MD, WDC and Mission Director, Rehabilitation Council to pay special attention to the women folk of this community by extending a helping hand so that they may be also able to establish their self-help groups. Addressing the gathering, Mir Saifullah said that since the Ms.Sakina Itoo took the charge of Social Welfare Department, a drastic change has taken place in department by launching various revolutionary welfare schemes. He said lakhs of people of the State are being benefitted by various schemes including Widow Pensions, Old age pensions, and added that especially the Minister focused on the upliftment of weaker sections including Gujjar and Pahari Community members. He said that children of this sect are very intelligent, but unfortunately they have not been provided any platform till date so that they may be able to prove them metal. However, He hoped, that by providing hostel facilities to these remote areas children, they will be able to prove their intelligence and qualify for higher posts like KAS and IAS posts. The Minister, meanwhile, stressed on the community leaders and parents of the children to pay attention to their wards and education properly and motivate them for higher education. He said presently lakhs of Children belonging to Pahari community are being benefited by scholarships. On the occasion, Mr Kafeel-ur-Rehman and Syed Mohammad Rafiq Shah also spoke. District Development Commissioner, Kupwara Mr. Itrat Hussain Rafiqui, MD, WDC, Mrs. Nahid Soz, Mission Director Rehabilitation Council, Mrs. Hafiza Muzaffar, MD, SC, ST Corporation, District Social Welfare Officers and other senior officers of district administration were present on the occasion.
Posted on: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 14:04:19 +0000
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