ISLAMABAD, Dec 13: The budget for social welfare schemes would be enhanced and the National Council of Social Welfare (NCSW) would be activated, the Prime Minister’s adviser for Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education, Nilofar Bakhtiar said late Thursday night.

The adviser emphasized upon revitalization of the council and said new members would soon be nominated to the council and recommendation would be made to enhance its budget.

The NCSW chairman Mohammad Yunus Khan, and joint secretary, social welfare, Shaukat Nawaz Tahir, apprised the adviser on the functions and structure of their respective departments.

While briefing the adviser about the activities of the NCSW, Mr Khan said the number of voluntary social welfare organizations has increased to 124,976.

In the year 2001-2002, 284 voluntary organizations received grants from NCSW, he said. He said despite meagre resources the staff of the council are making efforts to continue various surveys on social issues. The survey about beggars in the twin cities of Islamabad-Rawalpindi was completed and a report has been published.

The survey programme about senior citizens is going on throughout the country and so far, the survey work in NWFP and Balochistan has been completed, and reports thereabout have also been brought out.

The same survey is being launched in Sindh and Balochistan. The volunteers will also be included in this assignment, the NCSW chairman said.

He further informed the adviser that the NCSW has also prepared a National Social Development Policy. According to this policy equal opportunities of development have been offered.

The NCSW for the guidance of people has brought out a book entitled Islamic Concept of Social Welfare.