LEH: The Advisor to Lieutenant Governor UT Ladakh and Administrative Secretary of Home Department, Dr Pawan Kotwal chaired a pivotal meeting for scrutinizing the "Action Taken Reports" concerning the 31st meeting of the Northern Zonal Council (NZC), at the Civil Secretariat, Leh.

The meeting focused on multifaceted issues ranging from social justice to rural development and healthcare initiatives to evaluate progress and strategize future actions. It centered on expediting the investigation and resolution of cases of sexual offenses against women and children.

Dr Pawan Kotwal emphasized the effective implementation of the Fast Track Special Cases (FTSC) scheme to accelerate the disposal of cases under the POCSO Act, thereby mitigating pendency and ensuring timely justice.

Furthermore, deliberations extended to the extension of banking facilities and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanisms to rural areas, particularly focusing on the coverage of 34 villages by bank branches and postal banking facilities and 100 percent digitalization of all eligibility certificates.

The adoption of Model Bye-Laws for new Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) which enable them to undertake more than 25 economic activities, and the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY) were thoroughly discussed to bolster agricultural infrastructure and healthcare provisions.

Measures to combat malnutrition among girl children through the POSHAN Abhiyan were underscored and deliberation was held on the concerns regarding the dropout rate of school children.

Dr Pawan Kotwal directed all the concerned officers to expedite the action and submit a detailed action taken report within 15 days.

The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary of the School Education Department; the Additional Director General of Police; Commissioner/ Secretary of Social and Tribal Welfare Department; Administrative Secretary of Cooperatives Department; Director of Finance Department; Deputy Director (K) of Planning Development, and Monitoring Department; Superintendent of Post Offices, UT of Ladakh; Senior PO/APP, Directorate of Prosecution, Ladakh; Under Secretary to Home Department; and concerned officers.