New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS) Union Minister of Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi on Friday chaired the meeting of the Consultative Committee of Members of Parliament attached to the Ministry in Kolkata and discussed schemes for women’s safety, security and empowerment.

The meeting focused on three key components of Mission Shakti – One Stop Centres (OSC), Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) and SANKALP: Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW). Members of Parliament from both Houses and senior Ministry officials attended the meeting, an official said in a statement.

Addressing the Members, the Union Minister said the Ministry is committed to realising the Prime Minister’s vision for women-led development and a Viksit Bharat.

She stated that Mission Shakti is the government’s integrated scheme for the safety, security and empowerment of women.

She explained that under its ‘Sambal’ sub-scheme – covering One Stop Centres, Women Helpline, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Nari Adalat – the Central government provides 100 per cent financial assistance to States and UTs.

Under the ‘Samarthya’ sub-scheme – covering Hubs for Empowerment of Women, PMMVY, Shakti Sadan, Sakhi Niwas and Palna – funding is shared between the Centre and States in the ratio of 60:40, and 90:10 for North Eastern and Special Category States. At the same time, UTs without a legislature receive 100 per cent Central funding.

The Union Minister informed the Members that One Stop Centres, funded under the Nirbhaya Fund and being implemented since April 1, 2015, provide integrated support under one roof to women affected by violence and those in distress.

The scheme aims to set up at least one OSC in every district of the country. So far, 1,033 OSCs have been approved, of which 991 are functional and have assisted over 15.20 lakh women, she said.

On PMMVY, the Union Minister said that the scheme, implemented pan-India since January 1, 2017, provides a cash incentive of Rs 5,000 for the first child directly into the Aadhaar-seeded bank or post office account of the mother in two instalments – Rs 3,000 on registration of pregnancy and at least one ante-natal check-up, and Rs 2,000 on registration of childbirth and completion of the first cycle of vaccination.

Together with the benefit under Janani Suraksha Yojana, a woman receives Rs 6,000 on average. A cash incentive of Rs 6,000 is also given for the second child if the child is a girl, to encourage a positive attitude towards the girl child, she said.

The Minister of State, Savitri Thakur, thanked the Members for their valuable inputs and assured them that the Ministry will continue to work closely with States and UTs and other Stakeholders to ensure that every woman in need can access safety, security and empowerment services under Mission Shakti.

–IANS

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