‘J&K Rehabilitation Council committed to supporting terrorism victims, specially-abled’

Jammu, Mar 23: The Jammu and Kashmir government said it is committed to supporting victims of terrorism, including persons with disabilities, by providing monthly pensions and mobility assistance through the J&K Rehabilitation Council.
Responding to a question from MLA Ajaz Ahmad Jan in the Assembly, the government said the council is engaged in empowering persons with disabilities by distributing Retrofitted Motorised Tricycles and Automated Wheelchairs across the Union Territory to improve their mobility.
“As of the 2023-24 financial year, 228 Retrofitted Motorised Tricycles have been delivered to Poonch district, with an additional 28 sanctioned for the current fiscal year of 2024-25. The Rehabilitation Council has established a systematic approach to procure and distribute mobility aids, ensuring that eligible beneficiaries are supported in a timely manner,” the government said.
As per the established procedure, the Rehabilitation Council procures scooties on a yearly basis, subject to budget availability. The distribution of scooties is carried out in accordance with approved scheme guidelines, the government said, adding, “In this regard, the left out eligible beneficiaries along with new cases, are considered for coverage as per the prescribed criteria and the availability of funds in the subsequent procurement year.”
The government reiterated that efforts are made to ensure a systematic and time-bound approach to addressing the needs of eligible beneficiaries in a phased manner.
It further informed the house that as of now, there was no proposal for the opening of new Anganwaadi centres in the UT. “The centres are set up as a part of the Poshan Abhiyan, which is a centrally-sponsored scheme. Setting up new centres requires a need assessment and approval of the Ministry of Women and Child Development Government of India,” the government said in response to a question about whether the government intends to open new Aanganwadi centres in Haveli constituency.