Calm prevails in Jammu and Kashmir and life is returning to normal with the Indian government extending all support to the people to help them implement new social welfare schemes and schemes. “The lives of hundreds of thousands of men and women across the Kashmir Valley have begun to be transformed for the better through the innovative programs adopted and diligently implemented by the new Union Territory,” said a press release issued by the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"These programs include plans for pensions for the elderly, scholarships for students, nutritional supplements for nursing and pregnant mothers, and the preservation of the safety and health of thousands of children in public and private orphanages," the statement said. All residents can also get the benefits of comprehensive and free health insurance. The result was an extraordinary rise in the happiness index in the region, which has been known as violence in the news all these years.
Since the reorganization of the state, which was previously divided into two union territories, one of which was Jammu and Kashmir, and the other was called Ladkh, local authorities have striven, on August 5, 2019, to implement a series of new social welfare schemes. The Federal Territory celebrated its first year on the fifth of August this year. Among the beneficiaries of this assistance are senior citizens, young students, women, orphans, even transgender people can now benefit from pension benefits starting this year.
More than 800,000 people have benefited from pensions distributed under the Integrated Social Security Scheme. Their total number in Kashmir is 320,000 people and in addition to these, 170,000 people out of which 85,000 people are from Kashmir have been added to the list of beneficiaries this year. Those not covered by this scheme are included in the National Social Assistance Programme, a centrally sponsored scheme whereby the pension is deposited directly into their bank accounts.
More than 150,000 people have benefited from this scheme. The beneficiaries were granted an additional INR 500 per person on top of their normal pension this year. These beneficiaries include widows and people with special needs. The number of beneficiaries is being increased to cover a large number of widows, the elderly and people with physical disabilities in the Federal Territory, and the number of these beneficiaries has now reached 7,42,950. This is in addition to free health insurance coverage of Rs 500,000 per family per year on a floating basis, with no restrictions on family size, age or gender. They will have access to 20,853 hospitals (public and private) across the country and avail benefits with interstate transportation facilities. There are about 159 hospitals (public and private) in the Federal Territory that are not registered at present. The insurance will cover 1,469 medical and surgical packages/procedures including fatal diseases such as cancer and kidney failure.
The statement added that the number of scholarships for students in the Kashmir Valley has increased across all spectrums. For example, students from poor families, minorities, economically backward classes, cleaners and sweepers benefit from various scholarship schemes. The proportion of these students has increased to 250% with more than 800,000 students in the Federal Territory, including 550,000 from the Valley. To date, about 600,000 students have been awarded scholarships before and after study. Particular emphasis was placed on the aid and assistance provided to children living in institutional care.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, local authorities rushed to procure masks, disinfectants and hand-washing kits for children with special grants. A special committee has also been set up to monitor children's health and ensure easy access to medical care and healthy nutrition. A special helpline (No. 112) has been set up to assist women affected by domestic violence and other distress situations, and in addition special funds have been provided for the supply of rice for three months. There is no doubt that times are changing for the better in the Kashmir Valley and its people.
Okaz (electronic publication)