June 14, 2023 – In a bid to address the concerns of the marginalized and underprivileged sections of society, Deputy Mayor Jammu Baldev Singh Billawaria has strongly advocated for the revival of pension schemes and Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration cards. These Essential social welfare programs have unfortunately been discontinued by the government, causing significant distress among the genuine beneficiaries. Speaking at a press conference held today, Deputy Mayor Jammu Baldev Singh Billawaria accompanied by Chairmen of JMC Arun Khanna, Subash Sharma & Gopal Gupta highlighted the importance of these support systems in providing a lifeline to the most vulnerable members of our society. He expressed his deep concern over the discontinuation of pension schemes, which adversely affects the elderly, widows, and differently-abled individuals who heavily rely on this financial assistance for their day-to-day needs. Deputy Mayor Jammu Baldev Singh Billawaria said that this press conference was called as per the demand of the local Corporators of JMC. Praising the government’s schemes Deputy Mayor Billawaria said that these initiatives are beneficial and positively impacting the people of Jammu.
Furthermore, Billawaria emphasized the significance of BPL ration cards in ensuring food security for impoverished households. With the halt in the issuance of these cards, families struggling to make ends meet are left without the means to obtain subsidized food grains, and essential commodities. The Deputy Mayor stressed that the discontinuation of these social welfare programs has caused immense hardship for those who genuinely deserve and rely on them. He called upon the government to recognize the importance of these schemes and take immediate action to reinstate them. Deputy Mayor Jammu Baldev Singh Billawaria said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented various initiatives aimed at addressing poverty and uplifting the lives of marginalized communities in India and said that we should preserve such types of schemes to uplift the lives of poor and needy people. Deputy Mayor Jammu Baldev Singh Billawaria said Taking action against those who illegally obtain BPL cards is important to ensure that the benefits and resources allocated for the truly deserving individuals reach them. It is crucial to maintain the integrity of social welfare programs and target assistance to those who genuinely require it. However, it is important to strike a balance and ensure that the legitimate beneficiaries who hold valid BPL cards are not negatively affected by such actions. This might involve thorough verification processes, audits, and investigations to identify and address any discrepancies in the distribution of BPL cards and said that a single window system should be set up in each and every ward which can ease such type of process & also said that PHH Ration Card needs the authentication from the concerned Teshildar. It is worth noting that the specific actions and measures to be taken against illegally obtained BPL cards would depend on the local government policies, legal frameworks, and the processes in place to identify and tackle such instances. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is advisable to refer to official statements or news sources regarding the actions being taken by the government of Jammu and Kashmir (UT). Billawaria also announced his plans to submit a comprehensive proposal to the government, outlining the need to revive the pension schemes and resume the issuance of BPL ration cards.
The proposal will highlight the impact of the discontinuation on the vulnerable sections of society and present a roadmap for their reinstatement. Deputy Mayor Jammu Baldev Singh Billawaria said that the expansion of families needs to be verified and fresh ration cards should be provided on the basis of APL & BPL beneficiaries. In his concluding remarks, Deputy Mayor Jammu Baldev Singh Billawaria urged the government to prioritize the welfare of the marginalized and extend its support to those in dire need. He emphasized the significance of inclusive policies and the responsibility to safeguard the rights and dignity of every citizen.