A meeting of the Consultative Committee of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment was held under the chairmanship of Kumari Selja, Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment to discuss issues relating to National Institute of Social Defence (NISD).
Welcoming the Members the Minister said that the National Institute of Social Defence is the only Nodal Institute in the country for training and research in the field of social defence, viz. Substance Abuse Prevention; Care of Older Persons; and Other Social Defence issues including Beggary Prevention, Transgender etc. The Minister invited suggestions for further improvement in the activities of the Institute. Shri Rudra Madhab Ray, BJD, (Loksabha) suggested that in order to broad base NISD activities more regional institutes should be set up, the research wing should be strengthened and long term training programme should be organized.
Shri P. L. Punia, INC, (Loksabha) praised the effort of the Institute and suggested that a monitoring mechanism be established for trained persons and integrate the training with employment opportunities. He also stressed that long-term courses on geriatric care need to be increased and Nationwide survey on aged people should be conducted. Shri Punia further suggested that trained and skilled manpower should be engaged to rehabilitate the beggars and prevent beggary.
The Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Manik Rao Gavit, was also present in the meeting.
Shri T.R. Meena, Joint Secretary (SJE) made a presentation about the objectives of the Institution and the programmes being implemented by it.
Shri Sudhir Bhargava, Secretary (SJE), Ms. Stuti Kacker Secretary, Department of Disability Affairs, Shri Anoop Kumar Srivastava, Additional Secretary (SJE) and other senior officials of the Ministry and NISD were also present.