The two-day conference, held at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre, was attended by top officials of the Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB) and functionaries of the state boards.
Issues to be discussed at the meet include the role and functions of five major programmes -- family counselling centers, Rajiv Gandhi national creche scheme, awareness generation projects, condensed courses of education for adult women and short stay homes.
The conference will also evaluate the functioning of these schemes, how to further strengthen these schemes and the monitoring mechanism to check the implementation of these schemes.
S K Jha, the executive director of CSWB, said the total funds released for the five programmes of the Board in 2011-12 was Rs 107.46 crore, out of which Rs 2.26 crore were spent in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said during the 11th Five-Year plan, from 2007-08 to 2011-12, the Board has provided financial assistance to voluntary organisations to the tune of Rs 651.72 crore under the five programmes which is likely to be increased to Rs 1,150 crore in the 12th plan beginning 2012-13 to 2016-17.
He said the State Board Chairpersons conference, which is underway in the city, will provide opportunity to gather field perspective on structure and functions of the Board and revamping its existing activities.
New programmes in the 12th plan, meant to meet the challenges of changing social trends and emerging issues will also be discussed, Jha said.