LEH: The Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, UT Ladakh, Dr Pawan Kotwal chaired the UT Level Committee to review and approve the UT Annual Programme Implementation Plan (APIP) prepared by the Department of Social & Tribal Welfare for the Financial Year 2024-25 under Mission Vatsalya, Mission Poshan, and Mission Shakti at UT Secretariat, Leh.

He appreciated that the State and District Hubs for Empowerment of Women are operationalized in Ladakh under Mission Shakti and asked the Department of Social & Tribal Welfare to ensure that wide coverage is given so that women in Ladakh can access these hubs for assistance and information.

Advisor underscored the importance of providing a comprehensive range of support services to women including access to legal assistance.

Dr Pawan Kotwal also acknowledged the initiative taken up by the Department under the Zero-MAM campaign to identify and track each Moderately Acute Malnourished (MAM) child in each of the 13 ICDS Projects in Ladakh and provide supplementary nutrition and other required interventions to remove malnutrition in Ladakh, under Mission Poshan.

He directed the department to conduct follow-up assessments and interventions for these vulnerable children.

He emphasized the reactivation of non-operational centers, recognizing their pivotal role in providing vital services to communities in need.

Advisor reviewed the status of Child Care Institutions under Mission Vatsalaya, that are being constructed under Special Development Package, for children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law.

Commissioner cum Secretary, Social & Tribal Welfare, Padma Angmo apprised the UT Level Committee about the status of various projects being undertaken under Special Development Package and stated the Observation cum Special Home under Mission Vatsalaya is expected to be completed in 2024-25 while the 300 bedded Working Women's Hostel in each district is expected to be ready by 2025-2026.

Earlier, the Director, Social & Tribal Welfare Department, Tashi Dolma gave a comprehensive presentation to the UT Level Committee on the Annual Plan Implementation Programme for 2024-25 for Mission Shakti, Poshan and Vatsalaya.

She outlined the significant milestones attained during the fiscal year 2024-25 including the Zero-MAM initiative under Poshan, strengthening of Child Care Institutions and launch of State Adoption Agency and Child Helpline 112 under Mission Vatsalaya and launch of Women Helpline and establishment of State and District Hub for Empowerment under Mission Shakti.

The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary of School Education/Housing and Urban Development Department Sanjeev Khirwar; the Additional Director General of Police Dr S. D. Singh Jamwal; the Commissioner Secretary of Higher Education/Social & Tribal Welfare/Technical Education & Skill Development Department Padma Angmo; Administrative Secretary of PHE, Drinking Water & Sanitation Michael D'Souza; Administrative Secretary of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs M. Maralkar; Administrative Secretary of Law & Justice Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh; Deputy Commissioner/CEO LAHDC, Leh Santosh Sukhadeve; Deputy Commissioner/CEO LAHDC, Kargil Shrikant Balasaheb Suse; Director of Social & Tribal Welfare Tashi Dolma; Director of Finance Dr Safdar Ali; and officers from the Social & Tribal Welfare Department while the Commissioner Secretary of Planning/Health & Medical Education Department; and Social Welfare Officer, Kargil along with concerned officials joined the meeting virtually.