Social Justice Minister chairs coordination meet

GANGTOK, 09 June [IPR]: Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Welfare Department, Tulsi Devi Rai chaired the first coordination meeting of the Department at the conference hall, Bal Bhawan today. The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary of the Department, GP Upadhyaya along with Special Secretary, Januki Pradhan, Senior officials and staffs.

The Minister in her address outlined the huge responsibility and faith that has been bestowed to every individual for the betterment of society and therefore she said, everyone should perform their duties with great respect, honesty, compassion and seriousness.

As the department directly deals with the grass root people, let no personal interest or self seeking motive come on the way and dilute the motives in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people, said the Minister. The Minister also solicited cooperation and coordination among the officials and staffs to make the offices more people- friendly.

Touching on the State Government policies and programmes based on equality and social justice, the Minister added that all the developmental programmes of the department should focus on strengthening  the grass root level. She also showed her concern over some of the programmes which are not being implemented at the village level.

In the same manner, she directed the department to prepare a booklet incorporating all the schemes and policies of the department which shall be distributed amongst the Gram Panchayats, so that they are well versed and aware of the schemes and activities of the department.

The Minister suggested that the department channelize some of the schemes like Widows Pension, Old Age Pension through Panchayats so that people get the benefits well on time. She also asked the CDPOs to personally go and visit the ICDS Centres for monitoring and supervision and also attend Gram Sabhas.

She also laid stress on the need to maintain discipline, dedication, punctuality, transparency while discharging one's duties and streamlining for better management and coordination in the department.

The Minister also gave positive note on the proposal to establish Engineering Cell in the department. At the outset, Principal Secretary, GP Upadhyaya gave a detailed overview of the department which deals with Women and Child Welfare, ICDS, Social Welfare division including health interventions, nutritional, welfare schemes and programmes.

Earlier, Special Secretary Januki Pradhan presented the welcome address. Later the programme ended with the vote of thanks proposed by Additional Secretary cum Mission Director ICDS, BB Subba.