Srinagar, Sep 21 (KNS): The J&K Rehabilitation Council for Orphans, Women and Disabled Persons on Monday approved proposals worth Rs 12.95 crore for mobility assistance to specially-abled persons and national exposure programmes for children from vulnerable and economically weaker sections.

The decisions were taken at the 12th Executive Council Meeting of the Rehabilitation Council, chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, which reviewed the council's functioning, achievements and action plan for 2026-27.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary in the Social Welfare Department, Director General, Budget, and Executive Director, Rehabilitation Council.

The meeting reviewed major welfare interventions undertaken during the previous financial year and approved an expanded roadmap aimed at improving mobility and self-reliance among specially-abled persons while providing greater national exposure and opportunities to children from vulnerable and economically weaker sections.

A major focus was the free distribution of retrofitted motorised tricycles to eligible orthopaedically disabled persons in Jammu and Kashmir.

The initiative prioritises students, girl students, artisans and small vendors possessing a Priority Household (PHH) ration card and having at least 40 per cent locomotor disability.

Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department Sarmad Hafeez informed the meeting that during 2025-26, against an approved proposal of Rs 13 crore, the department released Rs 11.05 crore under the CAPEX Budget to the State Motor Garages Department for procurement of around 1,284 motorised tricycles.

The tricycles are being procured through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) at an approximate cost of Rs 86,000 per unit.

For 2026-27, the council has proposed Rs 12.95 crore for procurement of around 1,500 motorised tricycles.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelAn initial amount of Rs 4 crore has already been released after completion of the mandatory codal formalities by the department.

The Chief Secretary also reviewed the implementation of the ‘Watan Ko Jano’ Youth Exchange Programme, which has been fully funded and supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, since 2012.

The programme provides children and youth from vulnerable sections, including children of militancy-hit victims, specially-abled children and those belonging to economically weaker sections, an opportunity to experience the cultural diversity and developmental progress of different parts of the country.

The Executive Director of the council informed the meeting that around 250 children from economically weaker section families, studying in government schools and residing in Palash and Parisha Homes managed by the Social Welfare Department, visited Lucknow and New Delhi in April 2026.

The children were accompanied by 23 coordinators and, during the visit, also had the opportunity to meet and interact with the President and Vice President of India.

Building on the initiative, the council will take another 400 children on national exposure visits in two phases during 2026-27.

The proposed visits will cover the Mumbai-New Delhi and Jaipur-New Delhi circuits, with funding already secured from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Dulloo directed the concerned departments to fast-track procurement and implementation processes while ensuring complete transparency and adherence to prescribed procedures.

He also stressed the need to maximise outreach and ensure that welfare schemes translate into tangible benefits for eligible beneficiaries at the grassroots level.

The Chief Secretary emphasised particular attention to the empowerment and social inclusion of vulnerable sections across Jammu and Kashmir.(KNS)