State PCS - J & K (KAS)

• 14 Apr 2025

Review of Social Welfare Schemes in Jammu & Kashmir

Why in News? 

The Jammu & Kashmir Social Welfare Department has identified over 1.14 lakh children suffering from malnutrition as part of its intensified outreach and intervention programme. 

Key Points 

Findings of the Department: 

• Malnutrition and Health Interventions: 
  • Over 1.14 lakh children with nutrition-related health issues have been identified, including cases of severe and moderate malnutrition, as well as anaemia.  
    • These children are now being provided with special nutritional support to improve their health. 
• Coverage and Monitoring: 
  • The Supplementary Nutrition Programme has reached 9.14 lakh people. 
  • 99% Aadhaar verification has been achieved, ensuring transparency and preventing misuse. 
  • 22.76 lakh home visits (96% of the target) were made to identify and assist beneficiaries. 
• Child and Women Welfare: 
  • 116 child care homes established under Mission Vatsalya for vulnerable children. 
  • Mission Shakti is being implemented for women empowerment and protection. 
  • Financial support for girl children and marriage assistance for economically weaker sections were being provided under the Ladli Beti Scheme. 
  • Two Abhinanda Homes will be established—residential schools and rehabilitation centres for marginalised children in both J&K divisions. 
• Support to Marginalised Communities: 
  • Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is focusing on the holistic development of Scheduled Castes (SCs). 
  • Scholarships are provided for minorities, SCs, and OBCs. 
  • Prosthetic aids are offered to persons with disabilities. 
  • The department also ensures pensions and scholarships for militancy-affected families. 
  • It runs Pahari hostels for tribal communities along with proactive enforcement of more than 14 social justice laws across J&K. 
• Anganwadi and Saksham Centres: 
  • The government is strengthening Anganwadi infrastructure across J&K by upgrading centres into Saksham Anganwadis with modern facilities.  
  • There is a plan to upgrade 500 more centres by 2025–26 to enhance services and support for children. 
• Budget and Funding: 
  • FY 2024–25: ₹2,496.25 crore allocated, with 86% utilisation (₹2,147.24 crore). 
  • FY 2025–26: Budget increased by 68% to ₹4,361.14 crore, reflecting government’s renewed focus on social protection. 

 Welfare Schemes 

•  Mission Shakti: 
  • It is a scheme of the Ministry of Women and Child Development aimed at strengthening interventions for women safety, security and empowerment. 
  • Sub-Schemes: Samarthya and Sambhal 
• Mission Vatsalya: 
  • It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) implemented to support Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP) and Children in Conflict with Law (CCL) through Institutional and Non-Institutional Care. 
• Ladli Beti Scheme: 
  • The social assistance scheme by the Jammu & Kashmir Government supports newborn girl children of J&K and Ladakh (born on or after April 1, 2015) to address the declining female sex ratio and ease financial burdens for parents. 
• PM-AJAY: 
  • It is a comprehensive scheme amalgamating three Centrally Sponsored Schemes, including Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP), and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY). 
  • This initiative, launched in the fiscal year 2021-22, aims to uplift SC communities by generating employment opportunities through skill development, income-generating schemes, and various initiatives.