Minister Itoo chairs corporation board meeting, stresses inclusive growth

The Minister for Social Welfare, Education and Health & Medical, Sakeena Itoo, chaired the 45th Board of Directors (BoDs) meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Backward Classes (JKSCSTBC) Development Corporation at Civil Secretariat in Srinagar.

The meeting focused on promoting social and economic uplift of SC, ST, BC, and specially-abled communities across Jammu and Kashmir.

She emphasised on the need to enhance outreach programmes, streamline the loan disbursal process and ensure transparent implementation of welfare schemes.

During the meeting, the BoDs took some significant decisions for improving the corporation’s efficiency for divulging services to remote and underserved areas, including the introduction of digital platforms for beneficiary support and real-time monitoring of schemes.

The board approved the extension of benefits under the Direct Financing Scheme (DFS) and Education Loan Scheme (ELS) to the Pahari Ethnic Group, including Paddari Tribe, Koli, and Gadda Brahmin communities.

The BoDs also allowed the Corporation to fill up some urgently required positions on outsourcing basis in consultation with Finance Department by following proper procedure laid down by Government.

The Board also approved the draft annual accounts of Financial year 2023-24 for onward submission to Statutory Auditor/CAG, besides Budget Estimates for the FY 2025-26 and Actuals for FY 2024-25 were also approved by the Board.

J & K