Cabinet extends criteria of social service schemes

New Delhi, Jul 14 (UNI) The Delhi Cabinet has decided to extend the entitlement criteria of its social service schemes and provide guarantee of continuation of benefits to existing beneficiaries.

The Cabinet has also revoked violation of Rule 24(2) of the Delhi Cooperative Societies Rules, 1973 in respect of those members who were enrolled prior to July 2, 2007 in violation of said rule.

The decisions were taken in a Cabinet Meeting today presided over by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

Briefing mediapersons after the meeting, Ms Dikshit said Mission Convergence has been asked to finalise a uniform criteria for Welfare Entitlement Schemes and identification of the vulnerable with an aim to extend coverage of the schemes.

It has also been decided to ensure that existing beneficiaries continue to avail benefits.

She said the Government which spends over Rs 560 crores on its 42 different social service schemes, has now decided to adopt a set of measurable and verifiable proxy social indicators to ensure that the poorest and weakest sections of the society benefit from these schemes.

Ms Dikshit said a survey would be conducted in phases to identify the vulnerable. The crux of the exercise was to ensure Social Welfare Entitlement and public services to the most needy people in the easiest mode. The exercise is intended to include those people, who, by virtue of their vulnerability or non-legalised residential status, have not been able to get the benefits of various welfare programmes.

For those members of the Cooperative Group Housing Societies, who have been facing hardship due to alleged mismanagement by their respective managing committees, the Cabinet decided that their cases would be cleared for allotment, she said. The relief is restricted to only those who were enrolled as members of the CGHS prior to July 2, 2007 in violation of Rule 24(2) of Delhi Cooperative Societies Rules, 1973.

The decision would facilitate early draw of lots by the DDA for allotment of flats of Cooperative Group Housing Societies, Ms Dikshit hoped.

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