CM’s Social assistance scheme in Bhoi

SHILLONG, JUNE 11: The mass enrollment drive under the Chief Minister’s Social Assistance Scheme for the infirm, widows and persons with disabilities was held on Friday at Umsning , Ri Bhoi district where the Meghalaya chief minister, Dr Mukul Sangma was the chief guest. The function was also attended by C Lyngdoh, parliamentary secretary and local MLA, Ngaitlang Dhar, Chairman of Meghalaya Commission on Resource Mobilisation and HM Shangpliang, Director of Social Welfare department.

The Chief Minister’s Social Assistance Scheme was launched in 2012 at Asanang in West Garo Hills. Under the scheme, financial assistance of Rs 500 per month will be given to each beneficiary. There is no age bar for persons with disabilities and for widows; however, to seek benefit for the infirm, a woman has to be 58 years of age, while a man should be 60 years old.

The chief minister took special attention to inspect the enrolment so as to ensure that no deserving beneficiaries are left out. To encourage more beneficiaries to avail the scheme special enrolment drive is being held from July 3 to 16, 2014.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that the launching of the CM’s Social Assistance Scheme is a demonstration of the commitment of the government to fulfill the aspirations of the people and to ensure that the development agenda of the government is benefited by the people.

The chief minister also informed the gathering that under the scheme, a person does not require to be from below poverty line, which is mandatory for the National Old Age Pension Scheme. This he said will ensure that all deserving beneficiaries are included. He said that all efforts are made to simplify the guidelines of the scheme by removing all hurdles so that it becomes more inclusive. He also stressed that it is important to activate the legal aid system so as to enable the people to get easy access in obtaining affidavits which is one of the important documents for availing the scheme.

The chief minister further informed that many people living in the rural areas are still not aware of the scheme hence special drives are being held at different blocks to create awareness and to bring the scheme to the doorsteps of the eligible beneficiaries. “The IPR department should work together with Social Welfare Department and ensure that the people throughout the state are aware of this important scheme. A convergence approach is required”, asserted the chief minister.

The chief minister also spelt out a series of measures being taken by the government to transform the socio-economic conditions in the rural areas and announced an ambitious cluster development project under the Livestock Mission in three blocks at Zikzak, Betasing and Selsella in Garo Hills and three in Khasi Jaintia Hills at Mylliem, Umsning and Mawryngkneng. He informed that under the scheme, 5000 families are targeted for dairy farming and this will ensure surplus milk production and also create livelihood opportunities.

Meanwhile, the chief minister announced that a new block headquarter will soon be created at Umroi so as to ensure that the administration can come closer to the people. Later, he distributed token application forms to the beneficiaries at the function.- By Our Reporter