Imphal: The Manipur Social Welfare Department on July 10 announced a major state initiative involving the distribution of welfare benefits worth approximately Rs 104 crore, which will be formally launched by the Chief Minister on July 20.
The initiative follows a 15-day intensive campaign conducted across all Assembly constituencies that achieved nearly 99.9 percent coverage in documentation, ensuring eligible residents have Aadhaar cards, income certificates, and ration cards.
Speaking to the media in Imphal on July 10, Manipur Social Welfare Department Director Sheikh Abdul Hakim said the upcoming distribution would directly benefit over 1.2 lakh vulnerable individuals across the state through various targeted social security schemes.
The key schemes include the Manipur Old Age Pension Scheme, which will support approximately 1,07,082 elderly beneficiaries.
The Chief Minister Widow Pension Scheme provides a monthly pension of Rs 500 to eligible widows aged 40 years and above, as well as HIV-positive widows aged 18 years and above.
The Ima Nungthang Leima Scheme extends financial and social security support to divorced, separated, and single women, transgender women, and other economically vulnerable women.
As part of its efforts to promote inclusivity, the department is conducting disability surveys and medical certification camps across Manipur in collaboration with the Health Department.
The Director urged all persons with disabilities to obtain their Unique Disability ID (UDID) cards.
The department also provides scholarships, unemployment allowances, and maintenance grants based on the degree of disability.
As one of the state’s major implementing agencies for centrally sponsored schemes, the Social Welfare Department is currently implementing around 22 sub-schemes with financial support from various Central ministries.
Under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), around 2,400 Anganwadi centres are operating across the state, providing nutrition, pre-school education, and maternal healthcare services.
The Child Protection initiative under Mission Vatsalya strengthens the Juvenile Justice system by supporting Child Welfare Committees, Observation Homes, and Child Care Institutions.
The department also continues to promote women’s safety through Mission Shakti, which operates 47 Shakti Sadan centres providing food, counselling, and rehabilitation support for up to three years to victims of violence.
Additionally, the state oversees 51 Sakhi Niwas (working women’s hostels) that provide safe and affordable accommodation. The Director also appealed to women facing violence or distress to use the 181 Women Helpline, a toll-free emergency service.