State social welfare department has been in existence for more than 50 years. The department is meant to address problems that afflict this society and the people. The thrust as we know for any social welfare institution is empowerment of various sections and groups that are exposed to high risk of being exploited or suffering from certain disadvantages. Referred to as weaker sections in a society, they include children, people with disabilities, classified backward classes and groups of people, women and destitute. Children and women are generally not classified as beneficiaries of different social welfare schemes, nonetheless, malnourished children and women deprived of rights are on the berth. In the last 50 years, provided the JK social welfare department had been committed to its own purposes, we must have seen some major changes in society. Unfortunately, the department for large number of under-privileged and needy continues to be non-existent. With the department’s flimsy record in terms of functioning and providing necessary aid and assistance to people, many beneficiaries have lost interest in applying for schemes that are meant to help them. Public perception regarding social welfare department says a lot about pessimism, which is believed to be due to lack of interest of officials of the department. J&K government, which also seems to suffer from dull attitude towards social welfare, is also responsible for the inefficacy of the department. As per the Act prevention of beggary is one aspect – police officials can arrest people who indulge in it at public places, near religious places or in private premises without need of warrant. The other aspect is to design and build programs where indulging people (beggars) are discouraged from begging and are engaged in useful and beneficial exercise. While we are known to such notices and directions, there is little overall progress achieved. Several schemes like providing prosthetic aid, social assistance and social security programme, schemes for minorities, welfare scheme for local fishermen, etc., are not known to their beneficiaries. The department has not only failed to popularize these schemes but also has failed to work out a proper action and implementation plan. J&K government and political executives need to change their attitude and see to it that state social welfare department comes out of its deep sleep. Weak sections and less privileged should not go from pillar to post for help and assistance but it is the department that should go looking for them, helping them.