Vision :

• To create an environment for Development, Care & Protection for Children,
• Empowerment & Development of Women,
• Welfare for Old & Infirm and to facilitate Persons with Disabilities to live with Dignity.

Mission :

• To –Improve Nutritional Status of Children,Adolescent Girls, Pregnant & Lactating Mothers
• Capacity Building through Skill development for Women
• Welfare of Senior Citizen
• Improve Socio-Economic Status of Persons with Disabilities.

 

SCHEMES IMPLEMENTED BY SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT

GOVT. OF ASSAM

Prologue:

          The Social Welfare Department, Government of Assam aims at Welfare activities for the Women and Child development as well as social awareness of the problems faced by the Children, Women, Physically Challenged persons, Welfare of Transgender community   and Elderly Person’s recognition of their genuine needs. The Department has been implementing various schemes launched by the Government of India as well as by the State. It has suited itself to its need and encompassed host of schemes, be it Central Sector or a Centrally Sponsored along with State Level Schemes implemented from time to time. Initiation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) in the State has boosted up the Department and the Directorate to a new height. State Level Schemes too, aiming better improvement of status of Women, Elderly Person and Adolescents girls got priority in the planning desk – thereby enhancing the volume of service to serve the ever increasing population of the State.

 

1. UNDER THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA:

 

1)Child Development Schemes:

 

•   Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is one of the flagship programmes of the Government of India and represents one of the world’s largest and unique programmes for early childhood care and development. The beneficiaries under the Scheme are children in the age group of 0-6 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Step taken by State Govt. for ICDS scheme:-

• After Completion of Head Count of beneficries in 230 no of ICDS Project  the present status stands as below:-

Total No of ICDS Project-230 nos.

Children 6months -3years-14,50,009 nos.

Children 3years- 6years- 1,56,9,370 nos

Severely Malnourished Children 6month- 6 years-11298 nos.

Pregnant Women – 2,77,950 nos.

Lactating Mother- 3,16,346 nos.                                                                                    

Sl. No	Period	Scheme	Rs. in Lakhs		Rs. in Lakhs
			Physical Achievement		Financial Achievemet
			Target	Achievement	Budget Provision	Expenditure
1	2016-17	ICDS(Central Share)	230 Projects	230 Projects	53778.48	43731.06
		ICDS (State Share)			5842.05	4385.31
2	2017-18	ICDS(Central Share)	230 Projects	230 Projects	63750.86	39315.182
		ICDS (State Share)			7350.00	2645.15
3	2018-19	ICDS(Central Share)	230 Projects	230 Projects	60659.07	00
		ICDS (State Share)			7150.00	00
4	2016-17	SNP(Central Share)	5188703	5188703	16598.76	16598.76
		SNP (State Share)	5188703	5188703	948.53	948.53
5	2017-18	SNP(Central Share)	3162017	3162017	20348.62	20348.62
		SNP (State Share)	1889336	1889336	1514.69	1514.69
6	2018-19	SNP (Central Share)	3455969	3455969	33608.78	20677.86
		SNP (State Share)	169004	169004	4056.10	1446.67

 

• A state wide “ECCE” curriculum already been prepared and execution will be made  very shortly for the 3year-6year children.
• Supplementary Nutrition Programme is being implemented in all the ICDS Project.
• Step has been taken for supply of Take Home Ration (THR) among the children of 6m- 3yrs, Pregnant Women & Lactating mother for 50 days. Similarly Hot cook Meal (HCM) among the children of 3yrs-6yrs age group for the year 2018-19 for 107 days through Anganwadi Centre Managing Committee ( AWCMC).

          A good numbers of 39138 Anganwadi building constructed by the Deptt. till date. The sanitary provision as “Baby Frindly Toilet” @Rs.12000/- per toilet for 4,716 nos of  Anganwadi Centres and drinking water facilities will be providing to 1,358 nos of Anganwadi Centre @ Rs.10000/- per unit during the 2018-19.

• An amount of Rs.24,00,00,000 (Rupees Twenty four crore) has been budgeted during 2018-19 for repairing of Anganwadi Centre Building.
• The Construction of 1500 Anganwadi Centre building under MGNREGA is also under progress.
• The “VEDENTA” Corporate group has taken up to construct 300 Anganwadi Centre building in 12 high burden District, and the corporate group will initiate the process of construction by July,2018 tentatively till date M/S “VEDENTA” no cominicated.   

 

2. POSHAN Abhiyaan:

Union Cabinet chaired by the  Hon. Prime Minister  Shri Narendra Modi has approved setting up of Poshan Abhiyaan, (National Nutrition Mission -NNM) with the objective to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, anemia (among young children, adolescent girls and women) and reduce low birth weights across all the districts of the country in a phase manner.

The special feature of the POSHAN Abhiyaan is that, this aims at creating synergy, and linking the schemes with each other in order to arrive at the common goal of reducing malnutrition in India.The goal is to reduce stunting by 2%, under-nutrition by 2%, anaemia by 3%, and low birth weight by 2% per year.

        Steps taken by State for implementation of POSHAN Abhiyan

• State of Assam organized  two days workshop in Assam Administrative Staff College on 4^th and 5^th May, 2018 for the inter departmental co-ordination to achieve the expected scenario.
• In the first phase 5 districts namely Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Darrang and Karimganj   have been selected under the POSHAN Abhiyan in which Anganwadi Centre wise manpower and infrastructure mapping completed.
• District level workshop in the five District along with the other convergent Department has been completed w.e.f. 18^th June to 29^th June,2018.
• A batch of 20 Nos. Master Trainer took part in the training on ICDS-Common Application Software (CAS) for the real time monitoring.
• The translation of Mobile Application in regional language (Assamese) has been  completed and under process of verification which is being   forwarded to Central Project Management Unit (CPMU) for their approval.
• An amount of Rs. 7906.91 lakhs (during 2017-18 and 2018-19) has been released by the Govt. of India for implementing the POSHAN Abhiyan till date. Procurement of the  Smart Phone (CAS) and Devices for the Weighing of Children and Mothers through GeM is under process.
• Two (2) Committees - State Level Inter Departmental Task Force on Nutrition and State Level Advisory Committee have also been constituted to roll over the POSHAN Abhiyaan and monitor the same.
• In the Second Phase another 19 districts have been included in the POSHAN Abhiyaan in Assam during 2018-19 namely Baksa, Bongaigaon, Cacher, Charaideo, Chirang, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Dima Hasao, Golaghat, Hailakandi, Hojai, Kamrup, Kokrajhar, Marigaon, Nagaon, Sivsagar, South Salmara Mankcachar, Tinsukia & Udalguri
• An initiative for convergence meeting at state level has been scheduled on 5^th of every month for conversing and interacting with line Department for successful implementation of POSHAN Abhiyan

3. Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG): The objective of this scheme was to improve the nutrition and health status of girls in the age‐group of 11 to 14 years (Out of School), to equip them to improve and upgrade their home‐based and vocational skills, and to promote their overall development.

• A good number of 54,352 nos of 11y- 14yrs School dropout Adolescent girls in 23 nos District of Assam has been assessed for Nutrition as Rice & Peas @ Rs.9.5/- per day per beneficries is under process.      

Rs. In Lakhs

Sl. No	Period	Scheme	Physical Achievement		Financial Achievement		Remarks
			Target	Achievement	Budget Provision	Expenditure
1	2016-17	Scheme for Adolescent Girls (Central Share)	469521	469521	1356.94	118.96
		Scheme for Adolescent Girls (State Share)			Nil	Nil
2	2017-18	Scheme for Adolescent Girls (Central Share)	469521	Nil	341.92	Nil
		Scheme for Adolescent Girls (State Share)			Nil	Nil
3	2018-19	Scheme for Adolescent Girls (Central Share)	54352	Nil	Nil	Nil
		Scheme for Adolescent Girls (State Share)			33.33	Nil

 

4. Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS): ICPS is aimed at building a protective environment for children in difficult circumstances & other vulnerable children, through government-civil society partnership. ICPS brings together multiple existing child protection schemes under one umbrella & integrates additional interventions for protecting children & preventing harm.

* Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) are functional in all 27 District of Assam.

Recommendations from Deputy Commissioner of the new of District have been

received for selection of Members of CWC and JJB.

• Juvenile Justice Board (JJBs) are Constituted in all 27 District of Assam & functional in all 27 District.
• State Adoption Resource Agency is operational from 2011.
• There are 19 Special Adoption Agencies at present operational in Assam.
• State Child Protection Society has organized a series of training programme for overall staffs of JJ institution on the following issues
  1. Prescribed rules for institutions under JJ
  2. Principal of JJ Act
  3. Child Right issues
  4. Psychological support
  5. How to deal children in conflict with law from the psychological point of view.

* At present there are 91 nos registered Home in Assam and 36 nos. of Child Care Institutions receiving Grant- in- aid under ICPS.

Institution (CCIs) are under process of registration under JJ Act.

5. National Creche Scheme for the Children of Working Mother:

Under the Scheme, children in the age group 0-6 years from families with monthly income below Rs.12,000/- are eligible to avail the benefits of this scheme. In addition to being a safe space for the children, the crèches provide services such as supplementary nutrition, pre-school education and emergency health care, etc. The Scheme provides support to voluntary organizations for setting up crèche for children of working and ailing mothers. Under the scheme a voluntary Organization can run a crèche for 25 children below six years of age.

In 1^st January, 2017 National Crèche Scheme starts operation across undivided 27 Districts across Assam

There are 641 Nos. Crèche Centre in Assam

Break-up of Crèche centre are as follows:-

1.Social Welfare Board (SWD)=229 nos

2.Indian Council of Child Welfare(ICCW)=364 nos

1.  

Total =641 Nos.

Fund released to Crèche Centre in the year 2016-17 is Rs.2,17,96,290.00 & in the year 2017-18 is Rs.2,04,43,260.00.

2. Women Sector:-

• PRADHAN MANTRI MATRU VANDANA YOJANA (PMMVY): Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), implemented in the year 01-01-2017 previously known as Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY), is a maternity benefit program run by the government of India. It is implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. It is a conditional cash transfer scheme for Pregnant Women and Lactating Mother (PW&LM) for first live birth only. It provides partial wage compensation to women for wage-loss during childbirth and childcare and to provide conditions for safe delivery and good nutrition and feeding practices.

Benefits under PMMVY: PW&LM shall receive a cash benefit of Rs. 5000/- in three installments at the following stages as specified in the table given below:

Conditionalities and Installments
Installment	Conditions	Amount
First Installment	Early Registration of pregnancy	Rs. 1,000/-
Second installment	Received at least one ANC (can be claimed after 6 months of    pregnancy)	Rs. 2,000/-
Third Installment	Child Birth is registered Child has received first cycle of BCG, OPV,DPT and Hepatitis-B or its equivalent/substitute	Rs. 2,000/-

 

 The eligible beneficiaries would receive the remaining cash incentives as per approved norms towards maternity benefit under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) after institutional delivery so that on an average, a woman will get Rs. 6000/-.

CURRENT STATUS OF PMMVY:

• The Payment of Beneficiaries has already been kicked off. The State Nodal Officer has approved for payment to beneficiaries after being approved by Sanctioning Officers of concerned Projects. Rs.4,04,51,000.00 cleared for payment to 40,403 No. of beneficiaries so far as on 9^th July,2018.
  • STATE RESOURCE CENTRE FOR WOMEN (SRCW): State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW) under the State Governments (Department of WCD/Social Welfare) will provide technical assistance towards implementing programmes, laws and schemes meant for women through effective coordination at the State/UT level. SRCWs will continue to review and evaluate existing policies, programmes and legislations so that activities, which are cross-cutting and multi-disciplinary in nature, synergie harmoniously to reach women beneficiaries. Function as the technical body to support the implementation of women centric schemes such as Mahila Shakti Kendra, BBBP, One Stop Centre (OSC), Women Helpline etc. at the State Level and undertake measures to improve the effectiveness of such programmes through convergence initiatives.

 

• BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO: Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) is a social campaign of the Government of India that aims to generate awareness and improve the efficiency of welfare services intended for girls. The scheme was launched with an initial funding of Rs.100 crore. Since coordinated, convergent efforts are needed to ensure survival, protection and empowerment of the girl child, the Government has announced Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative. The BBBP was launched on 24th January, 2015 in Guwahati, Kamrup(Metro) of Assam on pilot basis. Now onwards, other 26 districts are selected by Govt. of India for implementing BBBP scheme under media advocacy and outreach.

 

The objectives of this initiative are - prevention of gender biased sex selective elimination, ensuring survival and protection of the girl child and ensuring education and participation of the girl child.

 

• SWADHAR GREH: Scheme for Women in Difficult Circumstances was launched by the Department of Women and Child Development in 2001-02. To prevent women from exploitation and to support their survival and rehabilitation, the scheme of Short Stay Home for women and girls was introduced as a social defense mechanism by the Department of Social Welfare. The scheme is meant to provide temporary accommodation, maintenance and rehabilitative services to women and girls rendered homeless due to family discord, crime, violence, mental stress, social ostracism or are being forced into prostitution and are in moral danger.

The Scheme envisions a supportive institutional framework for women victims of difficult circumstances so that they could lead their life with dignity and conviction. It envisages that shelter, food, clothing, and health as well as economic and social security are assured for such women. It also envisions that the special needs of these women are properly taken care of and under no circumstances they should be left unattended or abandoned which could lead to their exploitation and desolation. For shelter care and eventual social reintegration/ rehabilitation of women in distress and difficult circumstance, 17Nos. of Swadhar Homes are functioning across the State.

 

• GOVERNMENT RUN HOMES: It is a government Home for Women who do not have any shelter. Vocational training is provided to them for rehabilitation. This Home was first established in the year 1957-58. Along with these home, there is a Training cum production centre where several skill development training are given to the boarders in fields like embroidery, doll making, knitting, fancy bag making & weaving etc. Re-integration with the family or marriage or employment of the boarders is also initiated there. There are total 11 (eleven) numbers of Home for Destitute Women in Assam.

 

• ONE STOP CENTRE (OSC):

• One Stop Centres (OSC) are intended to support women affected by violence, in private and public spaces, within the family, community and at the workplace.
• Women facing physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and economic abuse, irrespective of age, class, caste, education status, marital status, race and culture will be facilitated with support and redressed by providing specialized services.
• Presently OSCs are established in 5 districts of Assam Namely Kamrup(M) Nagaon, Kokrajhar, Cachar and Jorhat .
• Govt. of India approved OSC scheme for remaining 28 districts also.
  • WOMEN HELPLINE- 181:

• The Scheme of Universalisation of Women Helpline is intended to provide 24 hours immediate and emergency response to women affected by violence through referral (linking with appropriate authority such as police, One Stop Centre, hospital) and information about women related government schemes programs across the country through a single uniform number.
• Women Helpline (WHL) will be integrated with One Stop Centre Scheme (OSC) under which one OSC shall be established in every State/UT to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces under one roof. Women affected by violence and in need of redressal services will be referred to OSC through WHL.
• Women help line 181  is functioning from 29^th March , 2018
  • UJJAWALA:

• The problem of trafficking of women and children for commercial exploitation is especially challenging due to its myriad complexities and variation. Poverty, low status of women, lack of a protective environment etc. Are some of the causes for trafficking.
• Keeping the above issues and gaps in mind, the ministry of women and children formulated central scheme “Ujjawala”- which is a comprehensive scheme for rehabilitation and reintegration of  trafficking victims.
• There are all together 21 numbers of Ujjawala at different districts of Assam.

 

• MAHILA SHAKTI KENDRA SCHEME:

• Government of India has approved a new scheme namely, Mahila Shakti Kendra which is meant to provide “one stop convergent support services for empowering rural women with opportunities for skill development, employment, digital literacy, health and nutrition”.
• It will provide an interface for rural women to approach the government for availing their entitlements also empowering them through training and capacity building.
• Mahila Shakti Kendra scheme is implemented in 8 (eight) numbers of districts in Assam namely–1) Hailakandi, 2) Udalguri, 3) Darang, 4) Dhubri, 5) Goalpara, 6) Barpeta, 7)Baksa, 8) Kamrup (M) .
  • NARI SHAKTI PURASKAR: Ministry of Women and Child Development celebrates International Women’s Day every year on 8^th March. It has been decided by the Ministry in the year 2015 to confer Nari Shakti Puraskars to eminent women and institutions in recognition of their service towards the cause of women empowerment. Nari Shakti Puraskars shall showcase the Govt. Commitment towards women with the aim of strengthening their legitimate place in the society. It will also provide an opportunity to the current generation to understand the contribution of women in building of society and the nation.
  • FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF RAPE:The right to life, which includes the right to live with dignity, is guaranteed to every person under the Constitution of India. The inherent dignity of the human being and the right of protection from any form of violence against women also forms part of India’s International obligations under instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Further, the UN Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, 1985 recognizes the need to respect the dignity of the victim and their entitlement to prompt redress for the harm suffered through access to the criminal justice system, reparation and support services to assist their recovery. Rape is one of the most violent forms of crimes against women, which not only impacts her bodily integrity but in the long-run, impairs her capacity to develop meaningful personal and social relationships, and affects her life and livelihood. Objectives of the Scheme:In furtherance of the goal of ensuring restorative justice to affected women, the Scheme aims to provide: a)Financial assistance to victims of rape; b) Support services such as shelter, counselling, medical aid, legal assistance, education and vocational training depending upon the needs of the victim.
  • WORKING WOMEN HOSTEL: The scheme aims at providing available, safe and conveniently located accommodation for working women with day care facility for their children, wherever possible, in urban, semi urban, or event rural areas where employment opportunity for women exist, who are single, widowed, divorced, separated or married whose family does not reside in the same area, given preference to dis-advantage section of the society with provision for reservation of physically challenged beneficiaries. In this regards proposed to established 43 Nos. of Working Women Hostel at all the 33 districts of Assam and based upon the necessity, namely Kamrup(M), kamrup(R), Nagoan, Jorhat, Dibrugrah and Tinsukia districts proposed to have more than one working women hostel.
  • THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT WORKPLACE (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION AND REDRESSAL) ACT, 2013: The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 was enacted to ensure safe working spaces for women and to build enabling work environments that respect women’s right to equality of status and opportunity. An effective implementation of the Act will contribute to the realization of their right to gender equality, life and liberty, equality in working conditions everywhere. The sense of security at the workplace will improve women’s participation in work, resulting in their economic empowerment and inclusive growth. The Act recognizes the right of every woman to a safe and secure workplace environment irrespective of her age or employment/work status. Hence, the right of all women working or visiting any workplace whether in the capacity of regular, temporary, adhoc, or daily wages basis is protected under the Act. It includes all women whether engaged directly or through an agent including a contractor, with or without the knowledge of the principal employer. They may be working for remuneration, on a voluntary basis or otherwise. Their terms of employment can be express or implied. Further, she could be a co-worker, a contract worker, probationer, trainee, apprentice, or called by any other such name. The Act also covers a woman, who is working in a dwelling place or house.