History of Social Welfare Administration and Social Welfare Programmes of India

CHAPTER – I

Socail welfare programmes and history of welfare in india

INTRODUCTION

Historical Perspective

The Central Social Welfare Board came into being in an era when welfare services for the disadvantaged sections of society were not systematised and the welfare infrastructure was not yet a formal construct. In the newly independent nation, visionaries such as Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, Pt. Govind Vallabh Pant and Sh. C.D. Deshmukh were preparing the blue print for the holistic development of all sections of the community against the background of recent Partition and communal disharmony. Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh, veteran social worker, parliamentarian and member of the Planning Commission was entrusted the responsibility of standing at the helm of the nascent Board that was perceived as an interface between the resources of the Government and the energy and outreach of the voluntary sector. Voluntary effort in the field of welfare in India during the early fifties was largely an amorphous and individualistic attempt to provide ‘fire fighting’ measures in areas where extreme marginalisation was taking place. In such a perspective the first aim of the Board was to promote voluntarism and the setting up of voluntary organizations. This could not be carried out without any preliminary baseline data that would provide a direction and purpose to the implementation of welfare programmes. In other words, the early days of the Board in an uncharted territory were a time of determining the felt needs of society and formulating programmes to address those needs, while simultaneously creating an environment of voluntarism at every level so that voluntary organizations that could implement these programmes could be established. This seemingly impossible, Herculean task was given to the founder Chairperson of the Board, Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh. In response to the surveys and information collected, a multiplicity of programmes were designed. Most of these addressed simple needs such as, balwadis for the children of women workers, Hostels for Working Women and aid to various organizations that are working for the aged, handicapped and other such groups. Welfare Extension Projects and Border Area Projects were started in areas where there were no organizations to implement the programmes of the Board. The Board gave assistance for family welfare, aid to ‘cases of undeserved want’ – old age, sickness, disablement and unemployment. It also organized emergency relief in natural disasters. Apart from this, the Board organized programmes of training in social work and carried out pilot projects. Over the years, the Board has been steadily evolving into a mature instrument of social change that has its anchor in the changing realities of our society. In order to maintain the topicality of its schemes and programmes and to remain responsive to the needs of society, the Board has been revamping and redesigning or formulating programmes that best fulfill emerging requirements.

MISSION As a National Organisation, strive to be recognized as the most progressive entity for providing services of unequivocal excellence to women and children for their protection, capacity building and total empowerment. To raise awareness about the legal and human rights of women and girl child and to run campaigns against social evils affecting them.

Vision Statement

The decade perspective of the Central Social Welfare Board encompasses the following objectives The Board must

Act as a change maker with a humanitarian approachby reinforcing the spirit of voluntarism. Create an enabling mechanism to facilitate networkingof committed social workers for

the empowerment of women and children. Develop a cadre of sensitive professionals with agender centric vision committed to equity,

justice and social change. Recommend gender specific policy initiatives to meet the new challenges for women and

children in emerging areas. Strengthen voluntary organisations and expand coverage of ‘engendered’ schemes in areas

where they have not yet reached. Initiate and strengthen its monitoring role to act associal audit and guide for the voluntary

sector so as to access Government funds as resource. Generate awareness about the challenges of a society in transition where negative use of

technologies and practices are impacting on the wellbeing of women and children.

CORE COMPETENCIES

A core competency is fundamental knowledge, ability, or expertise in a specific subject area or skill set. CSWB has adopted the following core competencies for the work of itself, all the State Social Welfare Boards and all staff.

1. Client Orientation: To establish and maintain effective relationships with clients and ability to propose appropriate solutions to clients’ needs in a professional, time bound and sensitive manner.

2. Professionalism: Proven conceptual analytical and evaluative skills; ability to conduct independent analysis and make conclusions and recommendations without fear or favour. Ability to identify key strategic issues, actions and risks for the achievement of set organisational goals and targets. Commitment to achieving the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and incorporating gender perspective into substantive work.

3. Planning and organizing: Develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies, identifying priority activities so as to adjust work as needed and allow for contingencies. Ability to work independently, with limited supervision and under pressure as a team player. Strategic thinking and forward planning capabilities necessary. Ability to coordinate the work of others and proven ability to work on tight schedules and handle multiple /concurrent project and activities

4. Communication: Speak and write clearly in English, Hindi and native language, with the capacity to listen and respond effectively. Writing reports and analysis of a high standard are essential.

5. Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

6. Technological awareness: Fully proficient computer skills and sound information about the latest trends in IT technology and office automation, including proficiency in latest word processing, spreadsheet applications, and relevant software packages, and ability to prepare reports, formulating positions on issues, articulating options concisely, conveying information and making and defending recommendations.

7. Respect for diversity: Ability to work effectively with people of all ethnic backgrounds, treating men and women equally with dignity and respect. 8. Integrity: To maintain and uphold firm principles of personal non- involvement and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles. To perform ones’ professional duties in an impartial and honest manner without seeking any monetary or pecuniary benefits from clients of the organisation one is serving in. To ensure that there is no conflict of interest by keeping personal and professional relationships separate.

Organisational Structure

The Board is headed by Chairperson. The Board has a 56 member General Body and a 16 member Executive Committee. The composition of the General Body and Executive Committee are as follows:-

General Body

Chairperson, CSWB All Chairpersons of State Social Welfare Boards, (33) Representatives from the Parliament; two from Lok Sabha and One from Rajya Sabha. Five Professionals (one each from Law, Medicine, Social Work, Education and Social

Development and Nutrition) Three eminent persons with extensive experience of social work. Representatives from Ministries/Departments

(of the rank of Joint Secretry) of the Government of India - Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of HRD, Department of Secondary and Higher Education, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, Planning Commission, Financial Adviser, Ministry of Women and Chil Development

Executive Director, Central Social Welfare Board.

Executive Committee

Chairperson, CSWB Chairperson of State/Union territories State Social Welfare Boards; - Maharashtra, Karnataka,

Assam, Rajasthan, A&N Islands Representatives of Ministries/Department of Government of India (of the level of JS) - Ministry

of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of HRD, D/o Secondary & Higher Education, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Financial Advisor, Ministry of Women and Child Development

Two Professionals Executive Director, Central Social Welfare Board.

State Social Welfare Boards

A total of 33 State Social Welfare Board are functioning in each state capital and union territory of the country with an object to implement various schemes for the welfare and development of women and

children through registered voluntary organisations. The State Board is headed by a non-official Chairperson who is a renowned woman social worker of the State. The State Board Members are

nominated on the Board by Central Board and State Government in the ratio of 50:50. These Members normally represent each district of the State.

ROLE OF CHAIRPERSON, STATE SOCIAL WELFARE BOARD DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF SECRETARY, STATE SOCIAL WELFARE BOARD

LIST OF SECRETARIES STATE SOCIAL WELFARE BOARDS

» Andaman and Nicobar

» Andhra Pradesh

» Arunachal Pradesh

» Assam

» Bihar

» Chandigarh

» Chhattisgarh

» Delhi

» Goa

» Gujarat

» Haryana

» Himachal Pradesh

» Jammu and Kashmir

» Jharkhand

» Karnataka

» Kerala

» Lakshadweep

» Madhya Pradesh

» Maharashtra

» Manipur

» Mizoram

» Meghalaya

» Nagaland

» Orissa

» Puducherry

» Punjab

» Rajasthan

» Sikkim

» Tamil Nadu

» Tripura

» Uttar Pradaesh

» Uttarakhand

» West Bengal

Schemes of Assistance/e-AWEDAN

Developing a healthy partnership with Voluntary Organisations for the welfare, development and empowerment of women in our society has been one of the primary objectives of the Central Social Welfare Board since its inception in 1953. The schemes of the Board are for the most part implemented by Vos. The Board has developed networking with more than 8,000 VO's across. Activities of the Board also involve networking with various state level organizations through the State Social Welfare Board located in 33 States and U.Ts. of the country. The Central Social Welfare Board provides support to VOs under a variety of programmes in order to facilitate and strengthen their role in empowering women through education and training, through collective mobilisation and awareness creation, through income generating facilities and by the provision of support services. The detailed objectives of each of the schemes of assistance, budgets and terms and conditions of grants are described below. Conditions of eligibility for assistance In order to be eligible for grants under the CSWB's programmes, an applicant institution should meet the following:

a) It should be registered under an appropriate Act or be a regularly constituted branch of a registered welfare organisation (mere affiliation to a registered body will not suffice for this purpose).

b) Office bearers of the institution should not be related to each other.

c) The organisation should have completed at least 2 years after registration in order to be el igible

for grants from the Board under any scheme, except in the scheme of Family Counselling Centres where completion of 3 years after registration is required. Relaxation may however, be made (i) in case of institutions in hilly, remote, border and backward or tribal areas; (ii) in case of those institutions which provide specialised services where these are not available; and (iii) in case where the need for starting an altogether new service is recognised. This requirement does not apply to branches which have been started by well established national/state level organisations in remote and needy areas.

d) It should have a properly constituted Managing Committee with its powers, duties and

responsibility clearly defined and laid down in a written constitution.

e) It should have facilities, resources, personnel, managerial skill and experience to initiate the activity for which the grant is required.

f) Its financial position should be sound and it should be in a position to raise such additional

funds, as may be required, to complete the programme for which assistance is given by the Board and in addition, where necessary, to continue to maintain the existing level of services from its own resources.

g) The activities of the institution should be open to all citizens of India without any distinctions of

religion, race, caste or language. Apart from the above conditions, there are other conditions of

eligibility applicable for specific schemes of assistance which are detailed in the relevant sections pertaining to the schemes on succeeding pages.

Note: Institutions should send completed applications to their respective State Social Welfare Boards. Addresses of State Boards are at Contact us.

DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED BY INSTITUTIONS

A. At the time of applying for grants under any scheme the following documents are to be submitted: (i) Copy of the Registration Certificate (should be attested by a Gazetted Officer) (ii) Copy of Memorandum of Association/Articles of Association/Byelaws of the institution (should be attested by a Gazetted Officer). (iii) Detailed audited accounts of the institution of the previous 3 years (should be attested by a Gazetted Officer).

[Note: Accounts should be of the institution as a whole and not of any single individual programme.]

(iv) Annual Reports of the previous 3 years. (v) List of current Managing Committee Members (They should not be related to each other),(should be attested by a Gazetted Officer). (vi) Application form in the prescribed format duly filled in and signed by the Secretary or authorised office bearer of the institution. (vii) Bank account details of the NGO/VO, along with all contact details including e.mail ID if any. (NGO can also upload copy of Relevent Documents in e-AWEDAN). B. After Utilisation of Grants: Separate accounts, audited and bearing the seal of a Chartered Accountant, in respect of grants sanctioned and released by the CSWB in 3 forms i.e. Receipt & Payment, Income & Expenditure and Balance Sheet, alongwith Utilisation Certificate should be submitted within one month of the closure of the financial year in which the grants are sanctioned/released. Fresh grants shall be released only on settlement of accounts of the previous yer and a satisfactory report of the running of the programme by an authorized officer of the Board, Central or State. The Schemes of the Board includes:

» SCHEME OF SHORT STAY HOME FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS

» FAMILY COUNSELLING CENTRES

» CONDENSED COURSES OF EDUCATION FOR WOMEN

» AWARENESS GENERATION PROJECTS FOR RURAL AND POOR WOMEN

» RAJIV GANDHI NATIONAL CRECHE SCHEME FOR THE CHILDREN OF WORKING MOTHERS

Release to NGOs upto 2014-15 (List)

» Innovative Scheme (Sanction Release)

» ISWE (Sanction Release)

» Family Counselling Centre (Sanction Release)

» Awareness Generation Project (Sanction Release)

» Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme for Working Mothers (Sanction Release)

» Short Stay Home (Sanction Release)

» Condensed Courses of Education for Women (Sanction Release)

Field Officers Machinery of CSWB

The field staff of the Central Social Welfare Board in the cadres of Project Officer, Asstt. Project Officer and Welfare Officerare attached to the various State Social Welfare Boards tosupervise and

monitor the implementation of the various programmes. They also play a crucial role in identifying the voluntary organisations and providing guidance to the voluntary organisations to develop their activities

and programmes. The field officers provide feedback to the Central Social Welfare Board enabling the Central Board to make further improvements.

Monitoring of Board’s Programmes

Central Social Welfare Board monitors its programmes through designated field machinery. The officials

of Govt. of India, State Govt. and Central Board also visit the programme on regular intervals. Monitoring of programmes is also done through desk analysis of the progress reports and other

documents received from Voluntary organisations.

Central Social Welfare Board

1 Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB) was conceived as an institution to be instrumental in bringing the

neglected, welk, handicapped and backward sections of society into the national mainstream.

Established in August 1953, the Board initiated several programmes for delivering welfare services to

the most backward, marginalized and deserving sections of society. As a follow up, the State Social

Welfare Advisory Boards were set up with the task of implementing and monitoring of different

programmes of the CSWB. Over the years, the Board has not only widened the scope of its programmes

but has also moved in policy approach from welfare to development to empowerment. Today it is the

pioneering national level organisation in the field of development and empowerment of women in the

country.

2 The CSWB was also envisaged as an interface between the Government and the voluntary sector for

social development in the country. It has made a signal contribution in encouraging, assisting and

promoting the growth of nearly twenty five thousand voluntary organisations for reaching the neglected

women and children of the country.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

3 The Board is presently headed by Smt. Mridula Sinha, who assumed office on 2nd November 1998 for

a period of three years. She was reappointed for a further period of three years on 1st November 2001.

The Board has a 51- member General Body and a 15-member Executive Committee.

General Body:

All Chairpersons of State Social Welfare Advisory Boards (30) Representatives from the Parliament: Lok

Sabha 2 & Rajya Sabha 1 5 Professionals (one each from Law, Medicine, Social Work, Education and

Social Development) 3 Eminent persons with extensive experience in social work Representatives from

Ministries/Departments/Govt. of India Department of Women & Child Development, Department of

Rural Development, Department of Education, Planning Commission, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of

Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Family Welfare Executive Director, CSWB

Executive Committee:

Chairpersons of State Social Welfare Advisory Boards : 5 by rotation Representatives from

Ministries/Departments of the Govt. of India Department of Women & Child Development, Deptt. of

Family Welfare, Deptt. Of Rural Development & Poverty Alleviation, Deptt. of Education and Ministry of

Social Justice & Empowerment Two Professionals Executive Director, CSWB

PROGRAMMES OF THE BOARD

.1 The Board is running a number of programmes for the development of women and children. All these

programmes are fully funded by the Department.

Awareness Generation Programme for Rural and Poor Women

1 The scheme of Awareness Generation Programme provides a platform for the rural and poor women

to come together, exchange their experience, ideas and in the process, develop an understanding of

reality and also the way to tackle their problems and fulfill their needs. The programme also enables

women to organise themselves and strengthen their participation in decision making in the family and in

the society and to deal with social issues including atrocities on women and children.

2 The programme was introduced by the Central Social Welfare Board in the year 1986-87. Under the

programme voluntary organisations are provided a grant of Rs.10,000/- for organising awareness

generation camps for 8 days plus follow up for two days. An allocation of Rs 400 lakhs were made during

the year for organising such camps. During the year special emphasis was given to conduct such camps

in the uncovered, tribal and remote villages. Till December 2001, as many as 1455 Awareness

Generation camps have been organised, which were attended by 36375 women.

Condensed Courses of Education for Women

1 The Scheme of Condensed Courses of Education for Women were started by the Central Social

Welfare Board during the year 1958 with the objective of providing education to those women who for

various social and economic reasons dropped out of school and could not pursue their studies. The

scheme was designed particularly to benefit women like young widows, women deserted by their

husbands and those belonging to economically backward classes.

2 Under this Scheme, grant is given to Voluntary Organisations to conduct two types of courses, one of

two years duration for preparing women candidates for Primary/Middle/Matric Examination and the

other of one year duration for Matric failed candidates. Girls and women of 15 years plus age groups are

entitled to avail the benefit of the scheme.

3 During the year 2000-2001, 794 courses were sanctioned and an expenditure of Rs. 741.01 lakhs was

incurred benefiting 20025 women candidates. During the year 2001-2002 the CSWB has sanctioned 119

courses (Central Board/State Board level) for women at a total cost of Rs lakhs.

Vocational Training for Women

1 The Central Social Welfare Board had started the scheme of Vocational Training Programme during

the year 1975 to train women in the trades which are marketable and also to upgrade their skills in

order to meet the demands of changing work environment. Main objective of training interventions is to

enable and empower women to access remunerative employment opportunities, which will instill self-

confidence and enhance their self-esteem.

2 From the year 1997-98, funds for Vocational Training are being provided under NORAD assisted

scheme on Training and Employment of Women. The main emphasis of the programme is training and

skill upgradation of women for their employment and self-employment on a sustainable basis. In view of

a similar programme implemented by the Department through the Women Development Corporations

of the States, CSWB concentrates mainly on the seven North Eastern States and Sikkim from where

adequate number of proposals are not received through the State Governments. The network of State

Social Welfare Advisory Boards and the voluntary organizations provide very useful support for running

this programme.

3 During 1999-2000, 591 vocational training courses were organised at a total cost of Rs.722.24 lakhs

benefiting 14973 women. During 2000-2001, the number of courses went up to 772. An amount of

Rs.1221.55 lakhs was sanctioned and 24540 women were trained. The sharp increase in expenditure

during the year was due to the utilization of unspent balance of the previous years.

4 During the year 2001-02 an amount of Rs.500 lakhs has been allocated to conduct 1120 courses under

the scheme to train 13660 women. The amount will be utilised for fresh sanctions as well as for past-

liabilities,

Socio-economic Programme

1 The Socio-Economic Programme of the Central Social Welfare Board endeavours to provide

employment opportunities on full or part time basis to destitute women, widows, deserted and the

physically handicapped, to supplement their meager family income. Besides, women entrepreneurs are

encouraged to exhibit and sell their products through Exhibition-cum-Melas organised by State Boards

at Distt. level. The Central Social Welfare has two different types of schemes of assistance under this

Programme:

Agro-based Units

The Board assists voluntary organisatons for setting up agro-based units like dairy, poultry, piggery,

goatery etc. for poor and needy women. However, for the past few years proposals for Agro-based Units

are not being considered since another Programme of the Department of Women and Child

Development, namely Support for Training and Employment of Women (STEP) is taking care of these

sectors.

Production Units

Voluntary organisations are encouraged to set up Production Units, which can provide employment on

full or part time basis to women. Project proposals are examined by District Industrial Centres, KVICs etc.

who look into viability of the projects. A grant is provided by the Board to facilitate setting up a

Production Unit by the grantee institution. The grant is finalised on a case-to-case basis subject to a limit

of Rs.3 lakhs.

1 During the year 2001-2002, grants amounting to Rs. 50.81 lakhs have been sanctioned under this

scheme

Crèche Programme

.1 This programme has been in operation since 1975. The scheme provides for day care services to

children in the age group of 0-5 years. The facilities are provided to the children of working women

belonging to economically backward sections of casual, agricultural and construction labour in remote,

rural and urban slum areas. Children of sick women also get the benefit of this programme. The

schematic provision for recurring grant is Rs. 18,480/- per annum per Crèche Unit of 25 children of the

age group of 0-5 years.

2 . During the year 2000-2001, grants amounting to Rs. 1267.77 lakhs have been sanctioned for running

9477 crèches, to benefit 2,36,925 children.

Working Women's Hostels

1 Under this scheme the Board provides a maintenance grant to voluntary organisations for providing

safe accommodation to working women whose salary does not exceed Rs.16,000/- p.m. so that they are

not exposed to undesirable and anti-social elements. The following types of maintenance expenses are

covered under the scheme:

(i) Salary of Matron and Chowkidar

(ii) (ii) Recreation facilities

(iii) (iii) Difference of Rent of the Hostel building, and

(iv) (iv) Maintenance of Hostel building

A minimum grant of Rs. 40,000/- and maximum grant of Rs.50,000/- is sanctioned to an institution in a

year keeping in view the class or category of the city

2 During the year 2000-2001, grants amounting to Rs. 7.89 lakhs have been sanctioned for the

maintenance of 34 Working Womens Hostels, which benefited 810 working women

Family Counselling Centres

1The objective of the Family Counselling Centres is to provide preventive and rehabilitative services to

women and children who are victims of atrocities and family maladjustments. The Scheme is being

implemented since 1984 through voluntary agencies. It was evaluated through NIPCCD during the year

1990-91 and a revised scheme is in force since 1992-93. Under the revised scheme, a maximum of Rs.1

lakh per centre per annum is given for continuation of existing FCCs while Rs.1.15 lakh is given for new

FCCs. The salaries of two counsellors who are either Post Graduate in Social Work or Psychology and

Rs.15000/- for recurring items are borne fully the Board while the institution is required to contribute

20% towards other recurring expenditure.

2 During the year 2001-2002, grants amounting to Rs. 374.06 lakhs have been sanctioned for running

417 Family Counselling Centres where 27,749 women were given counselling.

Short Stay Home Programme

1The scheme of Short Stay Home was launched by the Govt. of India in 1969 to provide temporary

shelter to women and girls

who are being forced into prostitution;

who as a result of family tension or discord are made to leave their homes without any mean of

subsistence and have no social protection from exploitation and are facing litigation on account of

marital disputes;

who have been sexually assaulted and are facing the problem of re-adjustment in the family or society;

who are victims of mental mal-adjustment, emotional disturbances and social ostracism, or who escape

from their homes due to family problems, mental or physical tortorture

who escape from their homes due to family problems, mental or physical torture and need shelter,

psychiatric treatment and counselling for their rehabilitation and re-adjustment in family and society.

2 This scheme was earlier being implemented directly by the Department of Women and Child

Development through the Non Governmental Organisations. While the power to sanction new Homes

still vests with the Department, the responsibility of supervision and monitoring of the existing Homes

and release of fund to the NGOs running the Homes have been delegated to the Central Social Welfare

Board from April, 1999. The financial norms and guidelines of the scheme of Short Stay Home has also

been revised in June 1999 to make it more relevant and effective.

3 The budget allocation for Short Stay Home for 200i-2002 was Rs.1284 lakhs and an amount of Rs.

659.28 was released to these homes up to 31st January, 2002.

Other programmes of the Board Border

Area Projects

.1 These Projects were taken up by the Central Board in all the 14 Border States of the country after the

Chinese Aggression in 1962 with the aim of achieving emotional and cultural intergration of the Border

population with the rest of the country. These Projects are of multipurpose nature and provide services

for women and children in the field of maternity care, general medical aid, social education, craft

training and balwadies. These services are rendered through multipurpose welfare centres which cater

to a compact area of 25 contiguous village with a population of nearly 25,000 per centres. There are at

present 87 Projects with 425 Centres functioning in 14 States. An amount of Rs.370.81 lakhs has been

released on these projects during 2001-02.

Welfare Extension Project

.2 The Welfare Extension Projects were started in the Community Development Blocks in 1958 to

organise welfare services in the rural and remote areas for the benefit of Women and Children. The

programme includes running of balwadies, adult literacy and social education, elementary medical aid,

maternity services, art craft, cultural and recreational activities. Each Project covers 10 villages with

population of 66,000 through 6 to 8 centres attached to a project. There are at present 41 Projects with

315 centres in 5 States. An amount of Rs.54.61 lakhs has been released on this Project during 2001-02.

Balwadi Demonstration Projects

3 Under this programme Balwadies are organised under the supervision of the State Boards. Each

balwadi consists of a Balsevika and a helper. There are at present 11 Projects with 248 centres

functioning in 11 States. An amount of Rs.17.25 lakh has been released during the year 2001-02

Mahila Mandal Programme

.4The Mahila Mandal Programme was started by the Board to provide social services to Women and

Children in rural areas where such welfare services did not exist at all. The services like Balwadies for

Children, Craft activities, Social Education and Maternity Services for Women etc. are provided under

this programme. The expenditure under the scheme is being borne by the Central Social Welfare Board

to the extent of 75% of the approved budget and remaining 25% is being shared either by the Voluntary

Organisation or by the State Government as matching contribution. An amount of Rs ---lakhs was spent

during 2001-02 for this programme.

Durgabhai Deshmukh Award

5The third Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh Award for Women's Development was awarded to OJU Welfare

Association of Arunachal Pradesh on 11th September, 2001 by Hon'ble Prime Minister at a function at

Vigyan Bhawan.

State Board Administration

.1 The establishment and administrative expenditure on State Boards is met on 50:50 basis by the

Central Social Welfare Board and by the State Govt. A total allocation of Rs 261.46 Lakhs has been made

for meeting the share of CSWB in this regard.

Publicity And Publications

During the year 2001-2002 the Board regularly brought out its magazine 'Social Welfare' on themes like

Empowerment of Women, Empowerment through Education, Changing Family Trends, the Elderly and

the Family, Child & Society etc. The Hindi magazine 'Samaj Kalyan' brought out issues on Educational

Policy, Nutrition and Child Health, Legal Rights of Women, Empowerment of Women and Development

of Society, Participation of Women in Politics and Administration, Violence against Women, and Social

Security.

The Central Social Welfare Board participated in the Social Development Fair-2001 organised by India

Trade Promotion Organisation at Pragati Maidan from 15th to 21st May, 2001.

CHAPTER -11

Brief History of Central Social Welfare Programmes

The Indian Constitution establishes a welfare state. This is clear from the salient features in the

Preamble and the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). In this spirit, India is making a determined

attempt to fulfil its ideal of a welfare state not only in principle but also through economic planning,

thus securing to the Indian citizens justice—social, economic and political.

Some articles of the Indian Constitution which directs the government towards a welfare

state:

The State shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting as effectively as it may a social order in which justice, social, economic and political, shall inform all the institutions of the national life (Article 38). That the citizen, men and women equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood; (Article 39a). The State shall endeavour to secure, by suitable legislation or economic organisation or in any other way, to all workers agricultural, industrial or otherwise, work, a living wage, conditions of work ensuring a decent standard of life and full enjoyment of leisure and social and cultural opportunities and, in particular, the State shall endeavour to promote cottage industries on an individual or co-operative basis in rural areas (Article 43). The State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make effective provision for securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, and in other cases of undeserved want (Article 41). The State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation (Article 46).

In this spirit, striving towards the similar objectives, this portal provides state specific content and

information in Indian languages on entitlements, schemes, programmes and institution details related to

women, children, SC, ST, OBC, Minorities, Senior Citizens, differently-abled and others.

Women and Child Development

Introduction

The Department of Women and Child Development was set up in the year 1985 as a part of the Ministry

of Human Resource Development to give the much needed impetus to the holistic development of

women and children. With effect from 30.01.2006, the Department has been upgraded to a Ministry.

Mandate

The broad mandate of the Ministry is to have holistic development of Women and Children. As a

nodal Ministry for the advancement of women and children, the Ministry formulates plans, policies

and programmes; enacts/ amends legislation, guides and coordinates the efforts of both governmental

and non-governmental organisations working in the field of Women and Child Development. Besides,

playing its nodal role, the Ministry implements certain innovative programmes for women and children.

These programmes cover welfare and support services, training for employment and income generation,

awareness generation and gender sensitization. These programmes play a supplementary and

complementary role to the other general developmental programmes in the sectors of health,

education, rural development etc. All these efforts are directed to ensure that women are empowered

both economically and socially and thus become equal partners in national development along with

men.

Policy Initiatives

For the holistic development of the child, the Ministry has been implementing the world's largest and

most unique and outreach programme of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) providing a

package of services comprising supplementary nutrition, immunization, health checkup and referral

services, pre-school non-formal education. There is effective coordination and monitoring of various

sectoral programmes. Most of the programmes of the Ministry are run through non-governmental

organisations. Efforts are made to have more effective involvement of NGOs. The major policy

initiatives undertaken by the Ministry in the recent past include universalisation of ICDS and Kishori

Shakti Yojana, launching a nutrition programme for adolescent girls, establishment of the Commission

for protection of Child Rights and enactment of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.

Organisation

The Ministry has 6 autonomous organisations viz.

1. National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD)

2. National Commission for women (NCW)

3. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)

4. Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA)

5. Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB)

6. Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK)

Working under its aegis. NIPCCD and RMK are societies registered under the Societies Registration Act,

1860. CSWB is a charitable company registered under section 25 of the Indian Companies Act, 1956.

These organisations are fully funded by the Govt. of India and they assist the Department in its functions

including implementation of some programmes/schemes. The National Commission for Women was

constituted as a national apex statutory body in 1992 for protecting and safeguarding the rights of

women. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights which is a national level apex statutory

body constituted in the March 2007 for protecting and safe guarding the rights of children.

Subjects Allocated to the Ministry

Welfare of the family.

Women and Child Welfare and Coordination of activities of other Ministries and Organisation in

connection with this subject.

References from the United Nations Organizations relating to traffic in Women and Children

Care of pre-school children including pre-primary education

National Nutrition Policy, national Plan of Action for Nutrition and National Nutrition Mission.

Charitable and religious endowments pertaining to subjects allocated to this Department

Promotion and development of voluntary effort on the subjects allocated to this Department

Implementation

Immoral Traffic in Women and Girl Act. 1956 (as amended upto 1986) .

The Indecent Representation of Women (Prevention) Act, 1986 (60 of 1986).

The Dowry Prohibition Act. 1961 (28 of 1961)

The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987 (3 of 1988), excluding the administration of criminal

justice in regard to offences under these Acts.

Implementation of the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Food (Regulation of

Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992 (41 of 1992).

Coordination of activities of Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE)

Planning, Research, Evaluation, Monitoring, Project Formulations, Statistics and Training relating to the

welfare and development of women and children, including development of gender sensitive data base.

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB)

National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD)

Food and Nutrition Board Food and Nutrition Board (FNB)

Development and popularization of subsidiary and protective foods.

Nutrition extension.

Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equity

National Commission for Women

Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK)

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (56 of 2000)

Probation of Juvenile offenders

Issues relating to adoption, Central Adoption Resource Agency and Child Help Line (Childline)

The Children Act, 1960 (60 of 1960)

The Child Marriage – Restraint Act, 1929 (19 of 1929)

Status of Women in India

Four out of ten women in India still have no say in their marriage, eight out of ten need permission to

visit a doctor, six out of ten practise some form of head covering, and the average Indian household

gives over Rs. 30,000 in dowry. These are among the findings of a major new large-scale sample survey

shared exclusively with a newspaper The Hindu.

The National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER) conducts the India Human Development

Survey (IHDS), the largest household survey in India after the government's Nation Sample Survey

Organisation (NSSO) surveys, and the NCAER is the only independent body that conducts such large -

sample panel surveys. The survey covers economic data on income and expenditure, development data

on education and health, and sociological data on caste, gender and religion. The key findings of

NCAER's latest round covers 2011-12 data. It covered 42,000 households across the country, weighted

nationally, and 83% of them were also interviewed for the 2004-5 round of the IHDS.

The data shows that India has made progress in child marriage, with 48% of women over 25 reporting in

2011-12 that they were married before the age of 18 as opposed to 60% in 2004-5. The average number

of children that women (over 40) reported they had had has also come down slightly to 3.55, indicating

that fertility is falling. The practice of marrying a cousin or relative – more common in the south than the

north – is becoming less common, but over 20% in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka still marry relatives.

However, women's autonomy remains severely constrained. 41% of women had no say in their marriage

and just 18% knew their husbands before marriage, a statistic that has not improved. Women's say in

marriage rose with their level of education, with income and with level of urbanisation and the southern

states did better.

Just 10% said that they could take the primary decision to buy large items for the house, less than 20%

had their names on the house's papers and 81% needed permission to visit a doctor. 60% of women –

including 59% of forward caste Hindus and 83% of Muslim women – practised some form of `purdah' or

`ghunghat'. Over half of all women said it was common for women in their community to be beaten if

they went out without permission.

The average Indian family gives over Rs. 30,000 in cash as dowry and 40% admitted to giving large items

like TVs and cars as dowry. The practise of giving large items as dowry was most common among

forward caste Hindus and lowest among Muslims. Wedding expenses ranged from nearly Rs 1 lakh in the

poorest village to Rs 1.7 lakh in small cities, a big jump over the 2004-5 survey. Kerala and Delhi had the

most expensive weddings.

Women Empowerment

The principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Indian Constitution in its Preamble, Fundamental

Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles. The Constitution not only grants equality to

women, but also empowers the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women.

Within the framework of a democratic polity, our laws, development policies, Plans and programmes

have aimed at women’s advancement in different spheres. From the Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-78)

onwards has been a marked shift in the approach to women’s issues from welfare to development. In

recent years, the empowerment of women has been recognized as the central issue in determining the

status of women. The National Commission for Women was set up by an Act of Parliament in 1990 to

safeguard the rights and legal entitlements of women. The 73rd and 74th Amendments (1993) to the

Constitution of India have provided for reservation of seats in the local bodies of Panchayats and

Municipalities for women, laying a strong foundation for their participation in decision making at the

local levels.

India has also ratified various international conventions and human rights instruments committing to

secure equal rights of women. Key among them is the ratification of the Convention on Elimination of All

Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1993.

The Mexico Plan of Action (1975), the Nairobi Forward Looking Strategies (1985), the Beijing Declaration

as well as the Platform for Action (1995) and the Outcome Document adopted by the UNGA Session on

Gender Equality and Development & Peace for the 21st century, titled "Further actions and initiatives to

implement the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action" have been unreservedly endorsed by

India for appropriate follow up.

The Policy also takes note of the commitments of the Ninth Five Year Plan and the other Sectoral

Policies relating to empowerment of Women.

The women’s movement and a wide-spread network of non-Government Organisations which have

strong grass-roots presence and deep insight into women’s concerns have contributed in inspiring

initiatives for the empowerment of women.

However, there still exists a wide gap between the goals enunciated in the Constitution, legislation,

policies, plans, programmes, and related mechanisms on the one hand and the situational reality of the

status of women in India, on the other. This has been analyzed extensively in the Report of the

Committee on the Status of Women in India, "Towards Equality", 1974 and highlighted in the National

Perspective Plan for Women, 1988-2000, the Shramshakti Report, 1988 and the Platform for Action, Five

Years after- An assessment"

Gender disparity manifests itself in various forms, the most obvious being the trend of conti nuously

declining female ratio in the population in the last few decades. Social stereotyping and violence at the

domestic and societal levels are some of the other manifestations. Discrimination against girl children,

adolescent girls and women persists in parts of the country.

The underlying causes of gender inequality are related to social and economic structure, which is based

on informal and formal norms, and practices.

Consequently, the access of women particularly those belonging to weaker sections i ncluding Scheduled

Castes/Scheduled Tribes/ Other backward Classes and minorities, majority of whom are in the rural

areas and in the informal, unorganized sector – to education, health and productive resources, among

others, is inadequate. Therefore, they remain largely marginalized, poor and socially excluded.

Goal and Objectives The goal of this Policy is to bring about the advancement, development and

empowerment of women. The Policy will be widely disseminated so as to encourage active

participation of all stakeholders for achieving its goals. Specifically, the objectives of this Policy include

Creating an environment through positive economic and social policies for full development of women

to enable them to realize their full potential

The de-jure and de-facto enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedom by women on equal

basis with men in all spheres – political, economic, social, cultural and civil

Equal access to participation and decision making of women in social, political and economic life of the

nation

Equal access to women to health care, quality education at all levels, career and vocational guidance,

employment, equal remuneration, occupational health and safety, social security and public office etc.

Strengthening legal systems aimed at elimination of all forms of discrimination against women

Changing societal attitudes and community practices by active participation and involvement of both

men and women.

Mainstreaming a gender perspective in the development process.

Elimination of discrimination and all forms of violence against women and the girl child; and

Building and strengthening partnerships with civil society, particularly women’s organizations.

Policy Prescriptions

Judicial Legal Systems

Legal-judicial system will be made more responsive and gender sensitive to women’s needs, especially in

cases of domestic violence and personal assault. New laws will be enacted and existing laws reviewed to

ensure that justice is quick and the punishment meted out to the culprits is commensurate with the

severity of the offence.

At the initiative of and with the full participation of all stakeholders including community and religious

leaders, the Policy would aim to encourage changes in personal laws such as those related to marriage,

divorce, maintenance and guardianship so as to eliminate discrimination against women.

The evolution of property rights in a patriarchal system has contributed to the subordinate status of

women. The Policy would aim to encourage changes in laws relating to ownership of property and

inheritance by evolving consensus in order to make them gender just.

Decision Making

Women’s equality in power sharing and active participation in decision making, including decision

making in political process at all levels will be ensured for the achievement of the goals of

empowerment. All measures will be taken to guarantee women equal access to and full participation in

decision making bodies at every level, including the legislative, executive, judicial, corporate, statutory

bodies, as also the advisory Commissions, Committees, Boards and Trusts etc. Affirmative action such as

reservations/quotas, including in higher legislative bodies, will be considered whenever necessary on a

time bound basis. Women–friendly personnel policies will also be drawn up to encourage women to

participate effectively in the developmental process.

Mainstreaming a Gender Perspective in the Development Process

Policies, programmes and systems will be established to ensure mainstreaming of women’s perspectives

in all developmental processes, as catalysts, participants and recipients. Wherever there are gaps in

policies and programmes, women specific interventions would be undertaken to bridge these.

Coordinating and monitoring mechanisms will also be devised to assess from time to time the progress

of such mainstreaming mechanisms. Women’s issues and concerns as a result will specially be addressed

and reflected in all concerned laws, sectoral policies, plans and programmes of action.

Economic Empowerment of women Poverty Eradication

Since women comprise the majority of the population below the poverty line and are very often

in situations of extreme poverty, given the harsh realities of intra-household and social

discrimination, macro economic policies and poverty eradication programmes will specifically

address the needs and problems of such women. There will be improved implementation of

programmes which are already women oriented with special targets for women. Steps will be

taken for mobilization of poor women and convergence of services, by offering them a range of

economic and social options, along with necessary support measures to enhance their

capabilities

Micro Credit

In order to enhance women’s access to credit for consumption and production, the establishment of

new and strengthening of existing micro-credit mechanisms and micro-finance institution will be

undertaken so that the outreach of credit is enhanced. Other supportive measures would be taken to

ensure adequate flow of credit through extant financial institutions and banks, so that all women below

poverty line have easy access to credit.

Women and Economy

Women’s perspectives will be included in designing and implementing macro-economic and social

policies by institutionalizing their participation in such processes. Their contribution to socio-economic

development as producers and workers will be recognized in the formal and informal sectors (including

home based workers) and appropriate policies relating to employment and to her working conditions

will be drawn up. Such measures could include:

Reinterpretation and redefinition of conventional concepts of work wherever necessary e.g. in the

Census records, to reflect women’s contribution as producers and workers.

Preparation of satellite and national accounts.

Development of appropriate methodologies for undertaking (i) and (ii) above.

Globalization

Globalization has presented new challenges for the realization of the goal of women’s equality, the

gender impact of which has not been systematically evaluated fully. However, from the micro-level

studies that were commissioned by the Department of Women & Child Development, it is evident that

there is a need for re-framing policies for access to employment and quality of employment. Benefits of

the growing global economy have been unevenly distributed leading to wider economic disparities, the

feminization of poverty, increased gender inequality through often deteriorating working conditions and

unsafe working environment especially in the informal economy and rural areas. Strategies will be

designed to enhance the capacity of women and empower them to meet the negative social and

economic impacts, which may flow from the globalization process.

Women and Agriculture

In view of the critical role of women in the agriculture and allied sectors, as producers, concentrated

efforts will be made to ensure that benefits of training, extension and various programmes will reach

them in proportion to their numbers. The programmes for training women in soil conservation, social

forestry, dairy development and other occupations allied to agriculture like horticulture, livestock

including small animal husbandry, poultry, fisheries etc. will be expanded to benefit women workers in

the agriculture sector.

Women and Industry

The important role played by women in electronics, information technology and food processing and

agro industry and textiles has been crucial to the development of these sectors. They would be given

comprehensive support in terms of labour legislation, social security and other support services to

participate in various industrial sectors.

Women at present cannot work in night shift in factories even if they wish to. Suitable measures will be

taken to enable women to work on the night shift in factories. This will be accompanied with support

services for security, transportation etc.

Support Services

The provision of support services for women, like child care facilities, including crèches at work places

and educational institutions, homes for the aged and the disabled will be expanded and improved to

create an enabling environment and to ensure their full cooperation in social, political and economic

life. Women-friendly personnel policies will also be drawn up to encourage women to participate

effectively in the developmental process.

Social Empowerment of Women

Education

Equal access to education for women and girls will be ensured. Special measures will be taken to

eliminate discrimination, universalize education, eradicate illiteracy, create a gender-sensitive

educational system, increase enrolment and retention rates of girls and improve the quality of

education to facilitate life-long learning as well as development of occupation/vocation/technical skills

by women. Reducing the gender gap in secondary and higher education would be a focus area. Sectoral

time targets in existing policies will be achieved, with a special focus on girls and women, particularly

those belonging to weaker sections including the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Other Backward

Classes/Minorities. Gender sensitive curricula would be developed at all levels of educational system in

order to address sex stereotyping as one of the causes of gender discrimination.

Health

A holistic approach to women’s health which includes both nutrition and health services will be adopted

and special attention will be given to the needs of women and the girl at all stages of the life cycle. The

reduction of infant mortality and maternal mortality, which are sensitive indicators of human

development, is a priority concern. This policy reiterates the national demographic goals for Infant

Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) set out in the National Population Policy 2000.

Women should have access to comprehensive, affordable and quality health care. Measures will be

adopted that take into account the reproductive rights of women to enable them to exercise informed

choices, their vulnerability to sexual and health problems together with endemic, infectious and

communicable diseases such as malaria, TB, and water borne diseases as well as hypertension and

cardio-pulmonary diseases. The social, developmental and health consequences of HIV/AIDS and other

sexually transmitted diseases will be tackled from a gender perspective.

To effectively meet problems of infant and maternal mortality, and early marriage the availability of

good and accurate data at micro level on deaths, birth and marriages is required. Strict implementation

of registration of births and deaths would be ensured and registration of marriages would be made

compulsory.

In accordance with the commitment of the National Population Policy (2000) to population stabilization,

this Policy recognizes the critical need of men and women to have access to safe, effective and

affordable methods of family planning of their choice and the need to suitably address the issues of

early marriages and spacing of children. Interventions such as spread of education, compulsory

registration of marriage and special programmes like BSY should impact on delaying the age of marriage

so that by 2010 child marriages are eliminated.

Women’s traditional knowledge about health care and nutrition will be recognized through proper

documentation and its use will be encouraged. The use of Indian and alternative systems of medicine

will be enhanced within the framework of overall health infrastructure available for women.

Nutrition

In view of the high risk of malnutrition and disease that women face at all the three critical stages viz.,

infancy and childhood, adolescent and reproductive phase, focussed attention would be paid to meeting

the nutritional needs of women at all stages of the life cycle. This is also important in view of the critical

link between the health of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women with the health of infant and

young children. Special efforts will be made to tackle the problem of macro and micro nutrient

deficiencies especially amongst pregnant and lactating women as it leads to various diseases and

disabilities.

Intra-household discrimination in nutritional matters vis-à-vis girls and women will be sought to be

ended through appropriate strategies. Widespread use of nutrition education would be made to address

the issues of intra-household imbalances in nutrition and the special needs of pregnant and lactating

women. Women’s participation will also be ensured in the planning, superintendence and delivery of

the system.

Drinking Water and Sanitation

Special attention will be given to the needs of women in the provision of safe drinking water, sewage

disposal, toilet facilities and sanitation within accessible reach of households, especially in rural areas

and urban slums. Women’s participation will be ensured in the planning, delivery and maintenance of

such services.

Housing and Shelter

Women’s perspectives will be included in housing policies, planning of housing colonies and provision of

shelter both in rural and urban areas. Special attention will be given for providing adequate and safe

housing and accommodation for women including single women, heads of households, working women,

students, apprentices and trainees.

Environment

Women will be involved and their perspectives reflected in the policies and programmes for

environment, conservation and restoration. Considering the impact of environmental factors on their

livelihoods, women’s participation will be ensured in the conservation of the environment and control of

environmental degradation. The vast majority of rural women still depend on the locally available non-

commercial sources of energy such as animal dung, crop waste and fuel wood. In order to ensure the

efficient use of these energy resources in an environmental friendly manner, the Policy will aim at

promoting the programmes of non-conventional energy resources. Women will be involved in spreading

the use of solar energy, biogas, smokeless chulahs and other rural application so as to have a visible

impact of these measures in influencing eco system and in changing the life styles of rural women.

Science and Technology

Programmes will be strengthened to bring about a greater involvement of women in science and

technology. These will include measures to motivate girls to take up science and technology for higher

education and also ensure that development projects with scientific and technical inputs involve women

fully. Efforts to develop a scientific temper and awareness will also be stepped up. Special measures

would be taken for their training in areas where they have special skills like communication and

information technology. Efforts to develop appropriate technologies suited to women’s needs as well as

to reduce their drudgery will be given a special focus too.

Women in Difficult Circumstances

In recognition of the diversity of women’s situations and in acknowledgement of the needs of specially

disadvantaged groups, measures and programmes will be undertaken to provide them with special

assistance. These groups include women in extreme poverty, destitute women, women in conflict

situations, women affected by natural calamities, women in less developed regions, the disabled

widows, elderly women, single women in difficult circumstances, women heading households, those

displaced from employment, migrants, women who are victims of marital violence, deserted women

and prostitutes etc.

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)

Launched on 2nd October 1975, today, ICDS Scheme represents one of the world’s largest and most

unique programmes for early childhood development. ICDS is the foremost symbol of India’s

commitment to her children – India’s response to the challenge of providing pre-school education on

one hand and breaking the vicious cycle of malnutrition, morbidity, reduced learning capacity and

mortality, on the other.

Objectives

The ICDS Scheme was launched in 1975 with the following objectives:

To improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age-group 0-6 years

To lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child

To reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout

To achieve effective co-ordination of policy and implementation amongst the various departments to

promote child development

To enhance the capability of the mother to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the

child through proper nutrition and health education

Services

The above objectives are sought to be achieved through a package of services comprising:

supplementary nutrition

immunization

health check-up

referral services

pre-school non-formal education

Nutrition & health education

The concept of providing a package of services is based primarily on the consideration that the overall

impact will be much larger if the different services develop in an integrated manner as the efficacy of a

particular service depends upon the support it receives from related services.

Services Target Group Service Provided by

Supplementary Nutrition Children below 6 years: Anganwadi Worker and

Anganwadi Helper

Pregnant & Lactating Mother

(P&LM)

Immunization* Children below 6 years: ANM/MO

Pregnant & Lactating Mother

(P&LM)

Health Check-up* Children below 6 years: ANM/MO/AWW

Pregnant & Lactating Mother

(P&LM)

Referral Services Children below 6 years: AWW/ANM/MO

Pregnant & Lactating Mother

(P&LM)

Pre-School Education Children 3-6 years AWW

IDA assisted ISSNIP

IDA assisted ICDS Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP)

The World Bank had been supporting the Government of India to improve nutritional status of children

through specific projects in ICDS (TINP - I & II, ICDS -I, ICDS-II, ICDS - III/WCD, Udisha, ICDS - APERC etc.)

with an overall investment of about US$712 million till 2005 - 06. Most of these supports had been

towards augmenting the Government resources in operationalization of the ICDS projects and

Anganwadi Centres, along with additional support on the quality improvement activities (IEC/BCC, M &

E, Innovation, training & capacity building, MIS etc.). Evaluation findings of the previous projects offered

evidence of improved programme coverage, service delivery and outcomes relating to project specific

indicators. Encouraged by these results, the Ministry of Women and Child Development formulated a

specific project called “ICDS Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP)”

(formerly called ICDS - IV Project) for seeking IDA assistance from the World Bank.

Implementation Approach

The project has been designed following Adaptable Program Loan (APL) approach of the World Bank.It

will be implemented in two phases – an initial preparatory/formative phase (Phase 1) of 3 years with

clearly defined benchmarks, followed by a 4 year full - scale implementation phase (Phase 2) upon

meeting of the agreed benchmarks.

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Child Protection

Integrated Child Protection Scheme is being implemented by Union Ministry of Women and Child

Development as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme from 2009-10 with the objective of creating a safe and

secure environment for children in conflict with law as well as children in need of care and protection. It

is a comprehensive scheme to bring several existing child protection programmes under one umbrella,

with improved norms. The Scheme incorporates other essential interventions, which aim to address

issues which were, so far, not covered by earlier Schemes. It is based on the cardinal principles of

"protection of child rights" and the "best interest of the child".

Objectives

ICPS brings together multiple existing child protection schemes of the Ministry under one

comprehensive umbrella, and integrates additional interventions for protecting children and preventing

harm. ICPS, therefore, would institutionalize essential services and strengthen structures, enhance

capacities at all levels, create database and knowledge base for child protection services, strengthen

child protection at family and community level, ensure appropriate inter-sectoral response at all levels.

To institutionalize essential services and strengthen structures for emergency outreach, institutional

care, family and community based care, counselling and support services at the national, regional, s tate

and district levels

To enhance capacities at all levels, of all functionaries including, administrators and service providers,

members of allied systems including, local bodies, police, judiciary and other concerned departments of

State Governments to undertake responsibilities under the ICPS

To create database and knowledge base for child protection services, including MIS and child tracking

system in the country for effective implementation and monitoring of child protection services

Undertake research and documentation

To strengthen child protection at family and community level, create and promote preventive measures

to protect children from situations of vulnerability, risk and abuse

To ensure appropriate inter-sectoral response at all levels, coordinate and network with all allied

systems

To raise public awareness, educate public on child rights and protection on situation and vulnerabilities

of children and families, on available child protection services, schemes and structures at all levels

Revised financial norms under ICPS

In order to enhance the quality of services provided under Integrated Child Protection Schemes (ICPS),

the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has revised the financial norms of the Scheme

with effect from 01.04.2014. Some of the major revisions include

Enhanced child maintenance grant from Rs.750/- to Rs.2000/- per month per child for institutional and

non-institutional care

The cost of construction of a new Home has been revised from Rs 600/- per square feet to Rs 1000/- per

square feet as per the schedule of rates or PWD estimates whichever is lower

For a Home of 50 children, a one-time non-recurring grant of Rs.19.40 lakh for up-gradation of

accommodation facilities and a recurring grant of Rs.36.14 lakh per year is being provided. The recurring

grant includes child maintenance, bedding, transportation, rent, electricity, water charges and salary of

staff in three shifts etc.

National Tracking System for Missing and Vulnerable Children

Track Child portal has been designed and developed adhering to the guidelines provided in the Juvenile

Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 and Model Rules 2007 and the provisions laid down

in the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS). One of the tasks entrusted under ICPS to the State

Governments is the setting up of a child tracking system which will facilitate data entry and matching of

missing and found children, and also enable follow up of the progress of children who are beneficiaries

of the Scheme. Thus, proper monitoring and welfare of the children under the Scheme would also be

ensured through the portal. The Homes, Child Welfare Committees are being equipped with computers

staff etc. to facilitate data entry of the children under ICPS.

Policies-Acts

1. Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006

2. The National Commission for Women Recommendations and suggestions on Amendments to the Dowry

Prohibition Act, 1961

3. Guidelines governing the Adoption of Children 2011

4. National Policy for the Empowerment of Women 2001

5. The Pre-Conception & Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (Prohibition of Sex-section), 1994 and

amendments

6. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005

7. Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986

8. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012

9. The National Policy for Children, 2013

10. Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013

CHAPTER – III

Schemes and Policies for Child and Women Empowerment

Schemes

1. Financial Assistance and Support services to victims of rape

2. The Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS)

3. Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG) Sabla

4. Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY)

5. SWADHAR (A Scheme for Women in Difficult Circumstances)

6. UJJAWALA : A Comprehensive Scheme for Prevention of trafficking and Resue, Rehabilitation and Re-

integration of Victims of Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation

National Institutes

1. National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development –NIPCCD

2. Rashtriya Mahila Kosh –RMK

3. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights

4. The National Commission for Women

National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development –NIPCCD

National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development, popularly known as NIPCCD, is a premier organisation devoted to promotion of voluntary action research, training and documentation in the overall domain of women and child development. Established in New Delhi in the year 1966 under Societies Registration Act of 1860, it functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Women and Child Development. In order to cater to the region-specific requirements of the country, the Institute, over a period of time, has established four Regional Centres at Guwahati (1978), Bangalore (1980), Lucknow (1982) and Indore (2001).

The Institute functions as an apex institution for training functionaries of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme. As a nodal resource agency, it has also been entrusted with the responsibility of training and capacity building of functionaries at the national and regional level, under the new scheme of Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS). It has also been designated, by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the nodal institution for imparting training on two important issues of Child Rights and Prevention of trafficking of women children for SAARC countries.

Institute's expertise and performance was recognized by UNICEF in 1985 when it awarded the Maurice Pate Award for its outstanding contribution in the field of Child Development.

Rashtriya Mahila Kosh –RMK

Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) was established by the Government of India in March, 1993 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Women & Child Development. It was registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860.

The aims and objectives of the Kosh are to undertake activities for the promotion of credit as an instrument of socio-economic change and development through the provision of package of financial and social development services, to demonstrate and replicate participatory approaches in the organization of women’s groups for effective utilization of credit resources leading to self-reliance, to promote and support experiments in the voluntary and formal sector using innovative methodologies, to promote research, study, documentation and analysis, to promote the federation and net working of women’s organisations for shaping & exchange of experience and information and to develop skills in response management & social mobilization, to promote and support the expansion of entrepreneurship skills among women, and promote and support grassroot level societies and organisations and other participatory structures for providing for women effective access to decision making.

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) was set up in March 2007 under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, an Act of Parliament (December 2005). The Commission's Mandate is to ensure that all Laws, Policies, Programmes, and Administrative Mechanisms are in consonance with the Child Rights perspective as enshrined in the Constitution of India and also the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Child is defined as a person in the 0 to 18 years age group.

The Commission visualises a rights-based perspective flowing into National Policies and Programmes, along with nuanced responses at the State, District and Block levels, taking care of specificities and strengths of each region. In order to touch every child, it seeks a deeper penetration to communities and households and expects that the ground experiences gathered at the field are taken into consideration by all the authorities at the higher level. Thus the Commission sees an indispensable role for the State, sound institution-building processes, respect for decentralization at the local bodies and community level and larger societal concern for children and their well-being.

The National Commission for Women

The National Commission for Women was set up as statutory body in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990 ( Act No. 20 of 1990 of Govt.of India ) to :

review the Constitutional and Legal safeguards for women ; recommend remedial legislative measures ; facilitate redressal of grievances and advise the Government on all policy matters affecting women.

In keeping with its mandate, the Commission initiated various steps to improve the status of women and worked for their economic empowerment during the year under report. The Commission completed its visits to all the States/UTs except Lakshdweep and prepared Gender Profiles to assess the status of women and their empowerment. It received a large number of complaints and acted suo-moto in several cases to provide speedy justice. It took up the issue of child marriage, sponsored legal awareness programmes, Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats and reviewed laws such as Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, PNDT Act 1994, Indian Penal Code 1860 and the National Commission for Women Act, 1990 to make them more stringent and effective. It organized workshops/consultations, constituted expert committees on economic empowerment of women, conducted workshops/seminars for gender awareness and took up publicity campaign against female foeticide, violence against women, etc. in order to generate awareness in the society against these social evils.

Integrated child Development scheme

The Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) Scheme providing for supplementary nutrition,

immunization and pre-school education to the children is a popular flagship programme of the

government. It is one of the world’s largest programs providing for an integrated package of services for

the holistic development of the child.

Nutritional support and referral medical services are available to pregnant and lactating mothers and

adolescent girls also at Anganwadis. In order to reduce malnutrition among children and the pregnant

and lactating mother, the government provide supplementary nutrition through Angawnwadis under

the scheme.

Under the scheme, innovative methods are used to provide pre-school education to the children at

Anganwadis. The children feel more comfortable as generally they are accompanied by their mothers

and Anganwadi workers from neighbourbood. India is the home to the largest child population in the

world. ICDS is the foremost symbol of India’s commitment to its children and it is the response to the

challenge of providing pre-school education on one hand and breaking the vicious cycle of malnutrition,

morbidity, reduced learning capacity and mortality, on the other. It is an inter-sectoral programme,

which seeks to directly reach out to children, below six years, especially from vulnerable and remote

areas.

Objectives of ICDS

Laying the foundation for proper psychological development of the child, improving nutritional and

health status of children up to the age of six, reducing incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition

and school dropouts, enhancing the capability of the mother and family to look after the health,

nutritional and development needs of the child and achieving effective coordination of policy and

implementation among various departments to promote child development.

Services Package

The scheme provides an integrated approach for converging basic services through community based

workers and helpers. The services are provided at Anganwadis. The Anganwadi, literally a courtyard play

centre, is a child-care centre located within the village itself. The services provided under the ICDS

scheme are: supplementary nutrition, non-formal pre-school education, immunization, health checkup,

referral services and nutrition and health education. The supplementary nutrition includes

supplementary feeding and growth monitoring, and prophylaxis against Vitamin A deficiency and control

of nutritional anaemia. All families in the community are surveyed to identify children below the age of

six and pregnant and nursing mothers. They avail supplementary feeding support for 300 days a year. By

providing supplementary feeding, the Anganwadi attempts to bridge the protein energy gap between

the recommended dietary allowance and average dietary intake of children and women. Children

below the age of three are weighed once a month and children in the age group of 3 to 6 are weighed

every quarter. Weight-for-age growth cards are maintained for all children below six years. This helps to

detect growth faltering and helps in assessing nutritional status. Besides, severely malnourished children

are given special supplementary feeding and referred to health sub-centres, primary health centres as

and when required.

Pre-school Education

Under ICDS scheme, children are provided pre-school education, besides supplementary nutrition,

health-checkup and immunization. Around 3.39 crore children are at Anganwadis. Innovative methods

are used to provide pre school education to the children in the age group of 3 to 6 at Anganwadis.

Moreover, children feel comfortable as their mothers accompany them. This component for the children

is directed towards providing and ensuring a natural joyful and stimulating environment with the

emphasis on necessary inputs for optimal growth and development. The early learning component of

the ICDS is a significant input for providing a sound foundation for cumulative lifelong learning and

development. It also contributes to the universalization of primary education by providing to the child

the necessary preparation for primary schooling and offering substitute care to younger siblings, thus

freeing the older ones, especially girls to attend school.

Social Security

The government has introduced Anganwadi Karyakartri Bima Yojana to Anganwadi workers and

Anganwadi helpers with effect from April 2004 under the Life Insurance Corporation’s Social Security

Scheme. In order to motivate Anganwadi workers and give recognition to good voluntary work, a

scheme of award has been introduced both at the national and state levels. The award comprises of Rs

25,000 cash and a Citation at Central level and Rs 5,000 cash and a Citation at state level. The

remuneration of Anganwadi workers has been increased to Rs 1500/- from the existing Rs 700/- and

that of the Anganwadi workers to Rs 750 from the existing Rs 500/- with effect from April 2008.The

government has also decided to provide uniform to the Anganwadi staff. This will benefit over 18 lakh

staff.

Beneficiaries

As many as 787 lakh beneficiaries — 650 lakh children (0-6 years) and about 137 lakh pregnant and

lactating mothers are covered under the scheme through over 10.53 lakh Anganwadi centers across the

country. The government had issued instructions to all states to give priority in locating Anganwadi

centers in areas predominantly inhabited by Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Minorities.

Considering the importance of ICDS, the government has given very high priority to the scheme. The

significant achievements in its implementation will certainly help as an effective tool in the

eradication of malnutrition and ensure all round development of the children, who are the national

assets of the future.

Swachh Bharat Swachh Vidyalaya

Swachh Bharat: Swachh Vidyalaya is the national campaign driving ‘Clean India: Clean Schools’. A key

feature of the campaign is to ensure that every school in India has a set of functioning and well

maintained water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. Water, sanitation and hygiene in schools refers to a

combination of technical and human development components that are necessary to produce a healthy

school environment and to develop or support appropriate health and hygiene behaviours. The

technical components include drinking water, hand washing, toilet and soap facilities in the school

compound for use by children and teachers. The human development components are the activities that

promote conditions within the school and the practices of children that help to prevent water, hygiene

and sanitation related diseases.

School sanitation and hygiene depend on a process of capacity enhancement of teachers, community

members, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Community Based Organisations (CBOs)

and education administrators. Water, sanitation and hygiene in school aims to make a visible impact on

the health and hygiene of children through improvement in their health and hygiene practices, and

those of their families and the communities. It also aims to improve the curriculum and teaching

methods while promoting hygiene practices and community ownership of water and sanitation facilities

within schools. it improves children’s health, school enrolment, attendance and retention and paves the

way for new generation of healthy children. It is the role of policymakers, government representatives,

citizens and parents to make sure that every child attends a school that has access to safe drinking

water, proper sanitation and hygiene facilities. This is every child’s right.

The benefits of water sanitation and hygiene to school children

The provision of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in school secures a healthy school environment

and protects children from illness and exclusion. It is a first step towards a healthy physical learning

environment, benefiting both learning and health. Children who are healthy and well-nourished can fully

participate in school and get the most from the education. Hygiene education in schools help promote

those practices that would prevent water and sanitation related diseases as well as encourage healthy

behaviour in future generations of adults.

Girls are particularly vulnerable to dropping out of school, partly because many are reluctant to continue

their education when toilets and washing facilities are not private, not safe or simply not available.

When schools have appropriate, gender-separated facilities, an obstacle to attendance is removed. Thus

having gender segregated toilets in schools particularly matters for girls. Gender norms and physiology

make privacy more important for girls than boys, and biological real ities mean that girls need adequate

sanitary facilities at school to manage menstruation. Basic facilities that provide for good hygiene and

privacy, along with sensitive health promotion assist girls to stay in school and complete their education.

Hygiene in school also supports school nutrition. The simple act of washing hands with soap before

eating the school mid day meal assists to break disease transmission routes. Children get the nutritional

benefits intended, rather than ingesting bacteria, germs and viruses. Studies show that when hand

washing becomes part of a child’s daily routine the benefits to health are evident and the practice does

not easily fade. School is therefore an ideal setting for teaching good hygiene behaviours that children

can also carry home.

Having safe water, toilet and hygiene facilities in schools promotes equity. All children are equal in their

right to access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, and all children gain benefits

through the improved hygiene practices promoted in schools. By providing gender-segregated toilets,

students are assured of privacy and dignity, a particularly important factor for girls’ school attendance.

By providing inclusive and accessible facilities, children with special needs are able to attend school and

further contribute to the development of their society.

Having a clean school fosters a child’s pride in his or her school and community. It enables every child

become an agent of change for improving water, sanitation and hygiene practices in their families and

within their community. School water and sanitation clubs encourage students to participate in taking

care of latrines and handwashing stations, and in providing safe water where necessary. Club members

create rotating lists of responsibilities, sharing sanitation- and water-related chores among both boys

and girls. This also fosters pride and ownership, and it counteracts the belief that these tasks are only for

women and girls or particular social groups.

Children with disabilities are also vulnerable to dropping out of school. Accessible school facilities are a

key to school attendance for children with disabilities. An effective water, sanitation and hygiene

programmes seeks to remove barriers by promoting inclusive design – user-friendly, child-friendly

facilities that benefit all users, including adolescent girls, small children and children who are sick or

disabled. Toilets and handwashing facilities, for example, need to be customised to fit children’s smalle r

size, and water, sanitation and hygiene facilities that are traditionally designed for the ‘average’ child

must consider the fact that children have a wide range of abilities and needs. The most cost-effective

way to improve access for all children is to incorporate accessibility into the design from the outset,

rather than making expensive changes later. To make sure facilities are accessible, it is essential to

involve children with disabilities in the design process. The cost of making inclusive facili ties is minimal

compared to the costs of exclusion.

Swachh Vidyalaya – The Essential Elements

Every school in the country must have a set of essential interventions that relate to both technical and

human development aspects of a good Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme.

Following is a set of these essential elements:

Sanitation

Separate toilets for boys and girls, with one unit generally having one toilet plus 3 urinals. The ratio to

be maintained is preferably one unit for every 40 students.

Menstrual hygiene management facilities including soap, adequate and private space for changing,

adequate water for cloth washing and disposal facilities for menstrual waste, including an incinerator

and dust bins.

Daily handwashing with soap before mid day meal

Sufficient group handwashing facilities allowing groups of 10-12 students to wash hands at the same

time. The handwashing station should be simple, scalable and sustainable, relying on usage of minimum

water. These handwashing facilities can be developed using local materials.

Group handwashing with soap sessions are conducted before the mid day meals are served, and are

supervised by teachers, who emphasise good handwashing techniques. The handwashing sessions are

used as an opportunity for delivering hygiene messages, especially the message that hands should be

washed at two critical times: before eating and after using the toilet. The sessions can also be used to

deliver messages on sanitation and drinking-water safety. Adequate time allocation (preferably 10-12

mins) before the mid day meal time, to ensure that every child and teacher can wash hands with soap,

conveniently.

Drinking water

Daily provision of child-friendly and sustainable safe drinking water and adequate water for

handwashing. In addition water for school cleaning and also food preparation and cooking. Safe

handling and storage of drinking water should be practiced throughout the school.

Operation and maintenance

All water, sanitation and handwashing facilities need to be clean, functional and well maintained to

ensure that the intended results are achieved and capital investments made in installing these systems

are not lost. Annual Maintenance Contracts can be issued, which will include regular maintenance of

facilities, regular supply of cleaning materials, consumables like soap, disinfectants, brooms, brushes,

buckets etc. The AMC may include identification of repair tasks and arrangement for repair facilities.

Alternatively some local arrangements can be made, which can include appointment of local

sweepers/cleaners, appointed by the school/district, who are provided with a regular supply of

consumables.

Regular/daily inspection of water and sanitation facilities by an appropriate group of persons as

appointed by the SMC.

Behaviour change activities

Water, sanitation and hygiene behaviour change communication activities should be part of the daily

routine of all children. Hygiene messages may be integrated into the textbook curriculum or may be

imparted through supplementary reading materials, activity based learning methodologies or even

during the morning assembly sessions.

Girls must be taught menstrual hygiene management by female teachers in a sensitive and supportive

manner and also take steps to encourage and support girls during menstruation so they do not miss

school. This involves menstrual hygiene education sessions at school, along with steps to ensure that

girls have a private place to wash and change their clothes. Existing facilities will be used in some cases;

in other situations, a new facility will need to be constructed. Other steps that can be taken to support

girls include stockpiling extra sanitary pads and clothes (such as school uniforms) for emergencies, along

with enhanced training programmes for teachers.

Enhanced capacities It is essential that capacities are improved at various levels within the sector, to develop the right mix of

skills, knowledge and experience to facilitate, finance, manage and monitor water, sanitation and

hygiene programmes in schools effectively. For example teachers need to understand ways of ensuring

equitable use and maintenance of facilities, making sure hygiene is adequately promoted and that

monitoring of these elements take place regularly at the school level. Furthermore, new learnings need

to be infused in the sector, along with newer ways of programming and implementing a water,

sanitation and hygiene programme in schools.

National tracking system for missing and vulnerable children

The centrally sponsored Integrated Child Protection Scheme aims at contributing to the improvement of

the children who are in difficult circumstances. The scheme is being implemented by Ministry of Women

and Child Development, Government of India. One of the tasks entrusted under ICPS to the State

Governments is the setting up of a child tracking system which will facilitate data entry and matching of

missing and found children, and also enable follow up of the progress of children who are beneficiaries

of the Scheme.

The 'TrackChild’ portal has been designed and developed adhering to the guidelines provided in the

Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 and Model Rules 2007 and the provisions

laid down in the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS).

Objectives of TrackCHild portal

1. To ensure timely tracking of “Missing Children”

2. To ensure ultimate repatriation and rehabilitation of the missing children.

3. To ensure proper care and development of the children of the Child Care Institutes (CCIs).

4. To set up a framework for participating organizations involved in the process.

Features of TrackChild portal Broadly TrackChild software has two modules, the

information of the children, who are already covered under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection

of Child) Act 2000 and the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) is to be entered in the software

by the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) functionaries including Child Welfare Committees

(CWCs) & Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) members, and the information of the missing children being

reported is to be entered and updated at the police stations.

‘TrackChild’ holds the live data base of ‘missing’ & ‘found’ children and tracks the overall progress of the

children living in the CCIs. The portal also provides an integrated virtual space for all stakeholders & ICPS

bodies which includes Central Project Support Unit (CPSU), State Child Protection Society/Units and

District Child Protection Units (DCPU), Child Care Institutions (CCIs), Police Stations, Child Welfare

Committees (CWCs), Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), etc. in the 35 State/UTs to facilitate tracking of a

“Child in distress”.

Management and monitoring of TrackChild

At the State level, SCPS with support of DCPUs set up and manage the Child Tracking System. The DCPUs

are responsible for carrying out an exercise to map all services available to children in difficult

circumstances and vulnerable children and their families in a district. This would include for example,

location and contact details of all police stations, child care institutions, hospitals, primary health care

(PHC) systems, paediatricians, members of CWCs and JJBs, Childline Services, etc. The DCPU will also

maintain a database of all children in institutional care and non-institutional care at the district level

with the ultimate goal of developing a comprehensive, integrated, live database for children in need of

care and protection.

‘TrackChild’ Mobile

The citizen interface of ‘TrackChild’ system may be accessed through mobile devices. A citizen can

access the portal through mobile devices to use ‘specialised’ light weight interfaces to ‘report a missing’/

‘report a found’ children or to search a missing/found children. A mobile app has also been developed &

made available in ‘Google Play Store’ & ‘NIC App Store’ for downloading. The SMS Alert system sends

alert messages to pre-defined stakeholders for initiating prompt action at their end for addressing the

issue.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

The trend of decline in the Child Sex Ratio (CSR), defined as number of girls per 1000 of boys between 0-

6 years of age, has been unabated since 1961. The decline from 945 in 1991 to 927 in 2001 and further

to 918 in 2011 is alarming. The decline in the CSR is a major indicator of women disempowerment. CSR

reflects both, pre-birth discrimination manifested through gender biased sex selection, and post birth

discrimination against girls. Social construct discriminating against girls on the one hand, easy

availability, affordability and subsequent misuse of diagnostic tools on the other hand, have been critical

in increasing Sex Selective Elimination of girls leading to low Child Sex Ratio.

Since coordinated and convergent efforts are needed to ensure survival, protection and empowerment

of the girl child, Government has announced Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative. The Beti

Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme has been introduced in October, 2014 to address the issue

declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR). This is being implemented through a national campaign and focussed

multi sectoral action in 100 selected districts low in CSR, covering all States and UTs. This is a joint

initiative of Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and

Ministry of Human Resource Development.

Overall Goal

Celebrate the Girl Child & Enable her Education

Districts Identified

The 100 districts have been identified on the basis of low Child Sex Ratio as per Census 2011 covering all

States/UTs as a pilot with at least one district in each state. The three criteria for selection of districts

namely are:-

Districts below the national average (87 districts/23 states);

Districts above national average but shown declining trend (8 districts/8 states)

Districts above national average and shown increasing trend (5 districts/5 states- selected so that these

CSR levels can be maintained and other districts can emulate and learn from their experiences).

Objectives

Prevent gender biased sex selective elimination

Ensure survival & protection of the girl child

Ensure education of the girl child

Strategies

Implement a sustained Social Mobilization and Communication Campaign to create equal value for the

girl child & promote her education.

Place the issue of decline in CSR/SRB in public discourse, improvement of which would be a indicator for

good governance.

Focus on Gender Critical Districts and Cities low on CSR for intensive & integrated action.

Mobilize & Train Panchayati Raj Institutions/Urban local bodies/ Grassroot workers as catalysts for social

change, in partnership with local community/women’s/youth groups.

Ensure service delivery structures/schemes & programmes are sufficiently responsive to issues of

gender and children’s rights.

Enable Inter-sectoral and inter-institutional convergence at District/Block/Grassroot levels.

Components Mass Communication Campaign on Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao

The programme will be initiated with the launch of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao”, a nation-wide campaign

to increase awareness on celebrating the Girl Child & enabling her education. The campaign will be

aimed at ensuring girls are born, nurtured and educated without discrimination to become empowered

citizens of this country with equal rights. The Campaign will interlink National, State and District level

interventions with community level action in 100 districts, bringing together different stakeholders for

accelerated impact.

Multi-Sectoral interventions in 100 Gender Critical Districts covering all States/UTs low on CSR

Multi-Sectoral actions have been drawn in consultation with MoHFW & MoHRD. Measurable outcomes

and indicators will bring together concerned sectors, states and districts for urgent concerted Multi -

Sectoral action to improve the CSR. The States/UTs will adapt a flexible Framework for Multi -Sectoral

Action through the State Task Forces for developing, implementing and monitoring State/ Distri ct Plans

of Action to achieve the State/District specific monitorable targets.

Project Implementation

The Ministry of Women and Child Development would be responsible for budgetary control and

administration of the scheme from the Centre. At the State level, the Secretary, Department of Women

and Child Development will be responsible for overall direction and implementation of the scheme. The

Structure of the proposed Scheme may be seen as follows:

At the National level

A National Task Force for Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao headed by Secretary, WCD with representation from

concerned ministries namely Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Human Resource

Development, National Legal Services Authority, Department of Disability Affairs and Ministry of

Information & Broadcasting; Gender Experts and Civil Society representatives. The Task Force will

provide guidance and support; finalize training content; review state plans and monitor effective

implementation.

At the State level

The States shall form a State Task Force (STF) with representation of concerned Departments (Health &

Family Welfare; Education; Panchayati Raj/ Rural Development) including State Level Services Authority

and Department of Disability Affairs for Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao to coordinate the implementation of

the Scheme. As the issue requires convergence & coordination between Departments, the Task Force

would be headed by the Chief Secretary. In UTs the Task Force would be headed by Administrator, UT

Administration. Some States/UTs have their own mechanism at the State/UT level for Women’s

Empowerment, Gender and Child related issues which may be considered and/or strengthened as

State/UT Task Force. Principal Secretary, WCD/Social Welfare will be the convener of this body.

Department of Women & Child Development will have the responsibility of coordinating all the activities

related to implementation of the Plan in the State/UTs through the Directorate of ICDS.

At the District level

A District Task Force (DTF) led by the District Collector/Deputy Commissioner with representation of

concerned departments (Health & Family Welfare; Appropriate Authority (PC&PNDT); Education;

Panchayati Raj/ Rural Development, Police) including District legal Services Authority (DLSA) will be

responsible for effective implementation, monitoring & supervision of the District Action Plan. Technical

support and guidance for the implementation of Action Plan in the district would be provided by District

Programme Officer (DPO) in the District ICDS Office for formulation of District Action Plan using the

Block level Action Plans. A Gender expert/CSO member may also be included in the task force.

At the Block level

A Block level Committee would be set up under the Chairpersonship of the Sub Divisional

Magistrate/Sub Divisional Officer/Block Development Officer (as may be decided by the concerned State

Governments) to provide support in effective implementation, monitoring & supervision of the Block

Action Plan.

At the Gram Panchayat/Ward level

The respective Panchayat Samiti/Ward Samiti (as may be decided by concerned State Governments)

having jurisdiction over the concerned Gram Panchayat/Ward would be responsible for the overall

coordination & supervision for effectively carrying out activities under the Plan.

At Village level

Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committees, (recognized as sub committees of panchayats) will

guide and support village level implementation and monitoring of the plan. Frontline workers (AWWs,

ASHAs & ANMs) will catalyze action on ground by creating awareness on the issue of CSR, collecting

data, dissemination of information about schemes/programmes related to girl child & their families etc.

In identified cities/ urban areas

The plan shall be implemented under the overall guidance & leadership of Municipal Corporations.

Budget

A budgetary allocation of 100 Cr. has been made under the budget announcement for Beti Bachao, Beti

Padhao campaign and 100 Cr. will be mobilized from Plan Outlay of the Planned scheme ‘Care and

Protection of Girl Child - A Multi Sectoral Action Plan’ for the 12th Plan. Additional resources can be

mobilized through Corporate Social Responsibility at National & State levels. The estimated cost of the

Scheme is 200 cr. Out of 200 cr., 115 cr. is proposed to be released during the current year i.e. 2014-15

(for six month). 45 Cr. and 40 cr. will be released during 2015-16 and 2016-17 respectively.

Fund Flow

The MWCD will be responsible for budgetary control and administration of the scheme at the Central

level. The MWCD will transfer the funds to the consolidated funds of the State Government after

approval of Action Plan of the respective Government.

Monitoring Mechanisms

A Monitoring System will be put in place right from National, State, District, Block and Village levels to

track progress on monitorable targets, outcomes and process indicators. At the national level, a National

Task Force headed by Secretary MWCD will monitor quarterly progress on a regular basis. At state level,

a State Task Force headed by the Chief Secretary will monitor progress. At the district level, the District

Collectors (DC) will lead and coordinate action of all Departments through District-level officials. They

shall also undertake monthly review of the progress on the activities listed in the Department Plans of

action at the district level. DC will have the overall responsibility for validating the measurable changes

in identified indicator related to CSR.

Evaluation

The Scheme would be evaluated at the end of the 12th Five Year Plan to assess its impact and take

corrective measures. Mapping of ultra-sonography machines, baseline survey of concurrent assessment

of % age of births of male & female child, reporting of complaints under PC & PNDT act will also help in

assessing the impact or outcome.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna

'Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna’ is a small deposit scheme for girl child, launched as a part of the ‘Beti Bachao

Beti Padhao' campaign, which would fetch an interest rate of 9.1 per cent and provide income tax

rebate.

'Sukanya Samriddhi Account' can be opened at any time from the birth of a girl child till she attains the

age of 10 years, with a minimum deposit of Rs 1000. A maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh can be deposited during

a financial year.

The account can be opened in any post office or authorised branches of commercial banks.

The scheme primarily ensures equitable share to a girl child in resources and savings of a family in which

she is generally discriminated as against a male child.

In an effort to motivate parents to open an account in the name of a girl child and for her welfare to

deposit maximum of their savings upto the prescribed limits, higher rates of interest at 9.1 per cent is

proposed to be given on the deposits on annually compounded basis with income tax concession in this

financial year.

The account will remain operative for 21 years from the date of opening of the account or marriage of

the girl child after attaining 18 years of age.

To meet the requirement of higher education expenses, partial withdrawal of 50 per cent of the balance

would be allowed after the girl child has attended 18 years of age.

The provision of not allowing withdrawal from the account till the age of 18 has been kept to prevent

early marriage of girls.

Opening of Account

The account may be opened by the natural or legal guardian in the name of a girl child from the birth of

the girl child till she attains the age of ten years and any girl child, who had attained the age of ten years,

one year prior to the commencement of these rules, shall also be eligible for opening of the account

under these rules.

A depositor may open and operate only one account in the name of a girl child under these rules.

Birth certificate of a girl child in whose name the account is opened shall be submitted by the guardian

at the time of opening of the account in post office or bank along with other documents relating to

identity and residence proof of the depositor.

Natural or legal guardian of a girl child shall be allowed to open the account for two girl children only:

Provided that the natural or legal guardian of the girl child shall be allowed to open third account in the

event of birth of twin girls as second birth or if the first birth itself results into three girl children, on

production of a certificate to this effect from the competent medic al authorities where the birth of such

twin or triple girl children takes place.

Deposits

The account may be opened with an initial deposit of one thousand rupees and thereafter any amount

in multiple of one hundred rupees may be deposited subject to the condition that a minimum of one

thousand rupees shall be deposited in a financial year but the total money deposited in an account on a

single occasion or on multiple occasions shall not exceed one lakh fifty thousand rupees in a financial

year.

Deposits in an account may be made till completion of fourteen years, from the date of opening of the

account.

An irregular account where minimum amount as specified in sub-rule (1) has not been deposited may be

regularised on payment of a penalty of fifty rupees per year along with the said minimum specified

subscription for the year (s) of default any time till the account completes fourteen years.

Mode of Deposit

The deposit in the account opened under these rules may be made

in cash; or

By cheque or demand draft drawn in favour of the postmaster of the concerned post office or the

Manager of the concerned bank where the account stands and an endorsement on the back of such

instrument shall be made and signed by the depositor indicating name of the account holder and

account number in which the deposit is to be credited.

Where deposit is made by cheque or demand draft, the date of encashment of the cheque or demand

draft shall be the date of credit to the account.

Interest on deposit

Interest at the rate, to be notified by the Government, compounded yearly shall be credited to the

account till the account completes fourteen years.

In case of account holder opting for monthly interest, the same shall be calculated on the balance in the

account on completed thousands, in the balance which shall be paid to the account holder and the

remaining amount in fraction of thousand will continue to earn interest at the prevailing rate.

Operation of account

The account shall be opened and operated by the natural or legal guardian of a girl child till the girl child

in whose name the account has been opened, attains the age of ten years.

On attaining age of ten years, the account holder that is the girl child may herself operate the account,

however, deposit in the account may be made by the guardian or any other person or authority.

Premature closure of account

In the event of death of the account holder, the account shall be closed immediately on production of

death certificate issued by the competent authority, and the balance at the credit of the account shall

be paid along with interest till the month preceding the month of premature closure of the account, to

the guardian of the account holder.

Where the Central Government is satisfied that operation or continuation of the account is causing

undue hardship to the account holder, it may, by order, for reasons to be recorded in writing, allow pre -

mature closure of the account only in cases of extreme compassionate grounds such as medical support

in life- threatening diseases, death, etc.

Pass book

On opening an account, the depositor shall be given a pass book bearing the date of birth of the girl

child, date of opening of account, account number, name and address of the account holder and the

amount deposited.

The pass book shall be presented to the post office or bank, as the case may be, at the time of

depositing money in the account and receiving payment of interest and also at the time of final closure

of the account on maturity.

Transfer of account

The account may be transferred anywhere in India if the girl child in whose name the account stands

shifts to a place other than the city or locality where the account stands.

Withdrawal

To meet the financial requirements of the account holder for the purpose of higher education and

marriage, withdrawal up to fifty percent of the balance at the credit, at the end of preceding financial

year shall be allowed.

The withdrawal referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be allowed only when the account holder girl child

attains the age of eighteen years.

Closure on maturity

The account shall mature on completion of twenty-one years from the date of opening of the account:

Provided that where the marriage of the account h older takes place before completion of such period

of twenty-one years, the operation of the account shall not be permitted beyond the date of her

marriage: Provided further that where the account is closed under the first proviso, the account holder

shall have to give an affidavit to the effect that she is not less than eighteen years of age as on the date

of closing of account.

On maturity, the balance including interest outstanding in the account shall be payable to the account

holder on production of withdrawal slip along with the pass book.

If the account is not closed in accordance with the provisions of sub-rule (1), interest as per the

provisions of rule 7 shall be payable on the balance in the account till final closure of the account