Jammu & Kashmir Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itoo is the prominent woman face of mainstream politics in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. She is the lone women minister in the current National Conference-Congress Coalition government in the state. She gave up her medical studies to enter politics. She represents the Noorabad Constituency of South Kashmir’s Kulgam District. She is also the lone MLA of NC from South Kashmir.
In an exclusive interview with ‘The Kashmir Scenario’, Sakina Itoo talks to Rameez Makhdoomi & Shahzad Hussain Hamdani.
You have been in politics for so many years and what is your view on the politics as career for women in the State of J&K?
I would like to state that there is difference between male and female, but then the women will have to leave the corridors of their household to explore their talent then only they can succeed in each and every sphere of life.Women will have to fight for their own rights if they have to achieve excellence in any field.
How would you describe the working of Social Welfare Department in J&K?
You have to bear in mind that after health &education, the social Welfare department is the biggest department. There are number of Boards and corporations. This department is wholly and solely oriented towards welfare of the masses. We are at present catering to more than half a million pensioners under different schemes.
In the past 3 and a half years we have achieved unprecedented success in ensuring efficiency at every level especially with reference to ICDS project, Streaming the pensioner cases and improving Justice Juvenile act and also ensuring the proper and speedy distribution of financial resources to the needy.
We have ensured in the last 3 and half years smooth implementation of schemes on ground zero.
Handicaps often hit streets to protest for their demands and also Aganwari centers in some far flung centers are still nonfunctional. What’s your take on this?
We cannot state that Anganwari Centers are non-functional but yes certainly there is always a scope for improvement. We can never achieve 100 percent perfection. As a matter of fact, there are 285000 Anganwari centers under Social welfare Department. During the present government’s tenure, unprecedented finances have been issued for “nutritionpurpose “in these centers. We have also worked hard to ensure transparency and for this purpose the finances are directly sent to Deputy Commissioner for release to the concerned individuals. We are also trying level best to address the demands of handicapped persons. The level of work and transparency achieved by the social Welfare Department in the past 3 and half years has certainly been unprecedented.
Over the past few years, divorce rate has abnormally risen in the state .What is being done to rehabilitate such women?
We have to bear in mind that it is a crucial challenge for the society to stop this bleak happening .As far as rehabilitation of affected women is concerned we have different schemes for them. Last year, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sanctioned 10 Crore rupees under Sher-e-Kashmir Employment Guarantee Scheme to the department for providing assistance to qualified women in different avenues.
You have yourself seen the worst face of violence but under the current government it is alleged that police is using brutal force to curb dissent. What’s your take on this?
I don’t think it is correct.The current government has shown unparalleled tolerance while dealing with law and order situation. All the concerned stakeholders will have to work hand and hand so that we can restore normalcy in the state because in past two decades each and every one of us has suffered the worst brunt of violence.
But now we are seeing a fast return of normalcy with situation improving impressively and we are witnessing a lot of positive change in the Kashmir situation.
You talk of change but there are challenges as well especially with reference to the killing of several Panchayat members is seen as a blow to grassroots governance in the state .How do you view this?
When there is a positive change ushering the challenges are a normal feature. We should not forget that after three decades we saw vibrant Panchayat elections were conducted and Panchayat act was rejuvenated. Today even women Panchayat members question us for the betterment of their people which is a great development and the fruits of efficient panchayats are bored well by the people on ground zero.
After a successful election some forces are feeling frustrated with the efficiency of Omar Abdullah led government.
How do you view the empowerment of women especially with reference to politics?
Not only in the sphere of politics but the women of state are forging ahead in each and every important sphere of life. We should not be narrow minded in seeing the participation of few women at top brass but also give an equal look to participation of thousands of women in grassroots politics.
What is your take on your personal experiences with the National Conference as a party?
The experience has been quiet awesome and simply superb. When I left the college to contest elections, I had told my roommate not to take any other person as I was not sure of winning. Even I had told my mother that I would be going back to studies as it is difficult to win. But I would like to thank my Party and people for putting great faith in me as I won the 1996 elections by about 20000 votes. Even when Farooq Sahib gave me the charge of MOS in 1996 it was quiet unbelievable experience. In 2002, I lost elections by few hundred votes. In 2008, I won once again by thumping margin.
Even in 2008, when I was entrusted with the responsibility of Cabinet Minister it was quiet enthralling experience for me. I would like to state that the individual experience of mine with National Conference has simply been mind-blowing.
What is your message?
My message to people of the state would be limited to working of my department and the message is that they should take benefits out of our different policies and schemes and they should guide us in our journey and makes us aware of our shortcomings and provide us with valuable suggestions from time to time.