WE THE PEOPLE
Rise of Widows from 16000 to 32400 and with above 6 lakh Disabled persons in Kashmir quite Alarming
Hence People urge Govt., to take Reformative measures for Socio-economic transformation without any delay
By: Mirror News Service
Srinagar: In our first series, we have stated that the main objectives of the Social Welfare Department (SWD) are to improve peoples' lives by helping them to cope with issues in their everyday life and help those who face a disability or a life-threatening disease or a social problem, such as inadequate housing and unemployment. Similarly the issues of orphans and widows are on rise and need to be addressed seriously. There is a need from top bureaucratic level to ground social worker to conduct research, advocate for improved services, engage in systems design and get involved in planning or policy development. In a conflict ridden State like J&K; to what extent the Social Welfare Department stands to meet its objectives is a matter of concern.
As already established by a Sociological Study of Widows and Orphans conducted by Professor Bashir Ahmad Dabla of Kashmir University, there were 32400 widows and 97200 orphans in Kashmir in 2008.It also stated that the number of widows grew from 16000 in 2000 to 32400 in 2008. The study reveals that the main cause of this alarming number of widows and orphan in Kashmir is because of the two decade old conflict. The condition of these widows and orphans has been deteriorated to the miserable subhuman level. However, the study reflects that neither the State government nor NGOs have been able to address this problem properly and in a systemized manner. While pointing towards the remedial approach in this regard, the study emphasis strong response from the state authorities and the civil society. It further states there should be an immediate need to take the help of NGO's in effective implementation of the plans of government.
However, several experts are of the opinion that to deal with the issues related like this, are not only the responsibility of the Social Welfare Department alone, but have to be tackled too by Religious Institution and Civil Society jointly. Otherwise in a blame game on each other, the victims remain to suffer.
Zarina, a widow with two minor kids, living in Sarai balla Amira Kadal, is all alone left to fend for her kids with no source of livelihood at present. Zarina's husband, Muhhamd Maqbool Ganai, aged forty five, who was a barbeque seller, was murdered in a mysterious condition in November 2010.Since then; the poor family is pushed to daily hardships, with almost no means of regular income. On asking her how she manages the daily expenses of basic requirement like food etc. she said, "Sometime someone from neighborhood send eatables, and sometime either some relative or neighbor help by giving Rs 100". She further said, while wiping her tears "Our life is no better than beggars. I don't understand what could be the future course of my Kids". While asking her why she would not approach to seek help from the Social Welfare Department, She said, "My relatives suggested me for this, but there the officials ask for certificate after certificate, I am illiterate and face problems to go through this paper work. Also there they sanction a widow fund of meager Rs. 200 to Rs 300.Now tell what could I buy out of this monthly financial source, as of now the prices are skyrocketting."
In another similar research, Professor Bashir Ahmad Dabla reveals that in J&K there are more than six lakh disabled people with almost 50% of them having permanent disability. The research report says that there are 3, 43,623 males and 2, 61,708 females with one or other type of disability. While major chunk of them live in rural areas. In comparison with the 2.12 % National average of disabilities Jammu & Kashmir has an average rate of 3 %. However, according to the report, Professor Bashir Ahmad Dabla points that the number of disabled persons in J&K shows a remarkable increase in the figures, in next census to be carried in 2011.
According to the Integrated Social Security Scheme of Social Welfare Department, the physically challenged Persons who have at least 40% permanent disability get a regular financial aid. The Deputy Director Social Welfare, Bashir Ahmad said, "The deserving persons avail the benefits of this scheme, presently the department is providing financial assistance of Rs. 400 to each registered disabled person."
An organizer of an NGO, wished not to be named said, "The government should contemplate to take various reformative steps for socio-economic transformation of the physically challenged. The execution of the schemes should be done in a quick manner and financial aid should be distributed without any delay for rehabilitation of the needy ones. It should be done at the basic level by streamlining the functioning of District and Tehsil Social Welfare Offices, a fresh survey of destitute and needy persons should be conducted and financial assistance provided them well in time." He further said, "Though the government has numerous schemes favoring the disabled persons and other weaker sections of the societies, like Integrated Social Security Scheme, educational scholarships for pre and post matriculation, Educational loans, Prosthetic Aid for handicapped, and Home for Blind etc. But out of those for whom these schemes are meant to take benefits are not aware of these policies, so there is a dire need that the government should publicize these schemes and make mass awareness among the beneficiaries.
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