Minister for Social Welfare M.K. Muneer intends to transform the Social Welfare Department into a “department of social justice.” “This process has already started,” he said.
Dr. Muneer was inaugurating an exhibition-cum-sale of products of ‘Oruma,' launched by the department's Finishing School at Police Club here on Monday.
The Minister also launched at the function a website for sale of ‘Oruma' products.
Dr. Muneer said he intended to improve various facilities coming under the ambit of the department. The aid for the marriage of women-inmates staying in the department's institutions had been raised from Rs.10,000 to Rs.50,000. A blueprint for a gender park with training facilities, to be established at Vellimadukunnu in department's property, had been prepared. The first phase of the Rs.500-crore project would cover five acres, he said.
The department's buildings at Vellimadukunnu would be renovated shortly, he said.
Rice scheme
The Minister also launched the Re.1-a-kg ration rice scheme in Kozhikode South and in Kozhikode North Assembly segments on Monday. He said orphanages across the State also would be given rice under the scheme. The demand to extend the benefit to nearly five lakh ration card-holders who were issued the cards recently would be brought to the government's notice and a favourable response sought, he said.
Sincere efforts were being made to rectify anomalies in determining Below Poverty Line status so that all belonging to the category would get rice at Re.1 a kg, Dr. Muneer added.
Deputy Mayor P.T. Abdul Latheef, A. Pradeeep Kumar, MLA; and councillors K.T. Beeran Koya, Sreevalli Raman, Kavitha Arun , K.P. Baburaj, and P.K. Saudabi attended the programmes.
