Srinagar, Aug 17: Minister for Social Welfare, Education, Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo on Monday chaired the 46th meeting of the Board of Directors of the Jammu & Kashmir Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe & Backward Classes Development Corporation Limited (JKSCSTBC) at the Civil Secretariat, reviewing key administrative, financial and policy matters concerning the corporation.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Planning, Development and Monitoring R. Alice Vaz, Commissioner Secretary Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Achal Sethi, Director General Budget Sultan Malik, Managing Director JKSCSTBC Development Corporation Ranjeet Singh, Director Finance Social Welfare Seema Bhasin and senior officers of the department and corporation.
The Board deliberated on the functioning of the corporation and approved several measures aimed at improving financial management, recovery of loans and delivery of welfare schemes to eligible beneficiaries.
Sakeena Itoo stressed the need for greater efficiency, transparency and accountability, directing the corporation to ensure that benefits reach members of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Backward Classes communities without unnecessary delays.
She called for streamlined procedures and stronger coordination among stakeholders to facilitate easier access to financial assistance, self-employment opportunities and livelihood support.
“Welfare interventions should translate into tangible improvements in the socio-economic conditions of beneficiaries, particularly through initiatives that encourage entrepreneurship, sustainable livelihoods and economic self-reliance,” she said.
The Minister also directed the corporation to maintain regular engagement with beneficiaries and community representatives, identify emerging needs and address genuine concerns within the prescribed framework.
The Board directed officials to intensify recovery of outstanding loans, particularly long-pending dues, and adopt all permissible measures for timely recovery. It also called for establishing an online system for loan recovery and disbursement under various schemes to improve transparency and efficiency.
The Board approved the Budget Estimates for 2026-27, covering the corporation's revenue and capital requirements and providing for implementation of its welfare and development programmes.
Emphasising financial discipline and timely execution, the Board stressed that improved loan recovery, efficient programme implementation and transparent delivery mechanisms were essential to ensuring that welfare schemes achieve their intended impact.
The meeting concluded with directions for sustained monitoring of decisions and stronger institutional mechanisms to promote economic empowerment, self-reliance and inclusive development among the targeted communities.