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CCHHAAPPTTEERR VVIIIIII
AA SSTTUUDDYY OOFF TTHHEE DDEEPPAARRTTMMEENNTT OOFF WWOOMMEENN AANNDD
CCHHIILLDD DDEEVVEELLOOPPMMEENNTT
This chapter is organised into two sections. Section I throws light on
Department of Women and Child Development, its Organisation and Statutory
and Autonomous Organisations of the Department. Section II deals with
different programmes and schemes of Department of Women and Child
Development and budgetary allocation to the Department of Women and Child
Development from 1996-97 to 2006-07.
Section I
8.1: Department of Women and Child Development
Equitable growth and development of any country on a sustained basis is
dependent on the development of human resources wherein the progress and
development of women are must. It is need of the hour that women should be
empowered economically, socially and politically so that they become a strong
and vigorous force in the country. Women‟s empowerment is a sine qua non of a
nation‟s development. A phrase commonly used in the legal parlance is res ipsa
loquitur, that is, the thing speaks for itself. In other words the case argues itself.
The phrase aptly applies to the development of women and children- a
development which speaks for itself, a development which is in the interest of the
entire nation297
. Therefore, for the holistic development of women, Government
of India has set up a separate department under the Ministry of Human Resource
Development.
The Department of Women and Child Development was created in
Human Resource Development Ministry in the year 1985. It was upgraded to a
Ministry with effect from 30-01-2006298
. Women invisibly contribute to the
297
Government of India, Press Information Bureau, accessed on 10th
February 2010
(www.pib.nic.in/feature). 298
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, “About Us”, accessed on
8th
August 2010 (www.wcd.nic.in).
242
growth of the economy, but visibly lag behind when it comes to availing of equal
opportunities of the fruits of development. The development of women and
children is of paramount importance in order to set the pace of development.
Considering the importance attached to development of women and child, the
Department of Women and Child Development was carved out as a separate
Ministry, vide Government notification dated 16.02.2006, all subjects relating to
Child Welfare/Protection like the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of
Children) Act 2000, Central Adoption Resource Agency(CARA) which were
earlier under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment have been transferred
to the newly created Ministry of Women and Child Development.
The broad mandate of the Ministry is to have holistic development of
women and children. As a nodal body of Women and Child Development, the
Ministry formulates several plans, policies and programmes. It enacts and
amends legislation, guides and coordinates the efforts of both governmental and
non-governmental organisations working in the area of women and child
development. The Ministry also implements certain innovative
programmes/schemes for women and children that cover welfare and support
services, training for employment and income generation, awareness generation
and gender sensitisation. The ultimate objective of all these programmes is to
make women independent and self-reliant and also to ensure that children grow
and live in a healthy and secure environment299
.
The vision of Ministry of Women and Child Development is “Ensuring
overall survival, development and protection of women and children of the
country to enable them to lead productive and wholesome lives as citizens”300
.
The major policy initiatives by the Ministry are, in the recent past, the
implementation of world‟s largest outreach programme of Integrated Child
Development Services(ICDS) and Kishori Shakti Yojana, establishment of the
Commission for Protection of Child Rights and enactment of Protection of
Women from Domestic Violence Act, etc.
299
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2002-03,
Chapter 1, “Introduction”, p.3. 300
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2006-07,
Chapter 1, “Introduction”, p.3.
243
8.2: Statutory and Autonomous Organisations
The Ministry comprises of two statutory bodies and four autonomous
organisations301
, viz.,
a) Statutory Bodies: National Commission for Women (NCW), National
Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
b) Autonomous Organisations: National Institute of Public Cooperation and
Child Development (NIPCCD), Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA),
Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB) and Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK).
NIPCCD, RMK and CARA are registered under the Societies
Registration Act, 1860. CSWB is a charitable company registered under Section
25 of the Indian Companies Act, 1956. The NCW was constituted as a national
apex statutory body in 1992 for protecting and safeguarding the rights of women.
The NCPR is a national apex statutory body constituted in March 2007 for
protecting and safeguarding the rights of children.
Different subjects allocated to the Ministry are302
:
1. Welfare of the Family, Women and Child Welfare and Coordination of
activities of other ministries and organisations in connection with this
subject.
2. References from the United Nations Organisation relating to traffic in
women and children.
3. Care of pre-school children including pre-primary education.
4. National Nutrition Policy, National Plan of Action for Nutrition and
National Nutrition Mission.
5. Charitable and religious endowments pertaining to subjects allocated to
this Department.
301
Goel Aruna., Women Empowerment: Myth or Reality, Deep and Deep Publications Pvt., Ltd.,
New Delhi, 2009, pp.132-133. 302
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2005-06,
Annexure 2, p.194.
244
6. Promotion and development of voluntary effort on the subjects allocated
to this Department.
7. Implementation of:
The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (amended up to
1986);
The Indecent Representation of Women (Prevention) Act,
1986 (60 of 1986);
The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961(as amended upto 1986);
The Commission of Sati(Prevention) Act, 1987;
Coordination of activities and programmes 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 (FNB);
National Commission for Women (NCW);
Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK);
The Children Act, 1960;
The Child Marriage –Restraint Act, 1929.
245
8.3: Organisation: The organisation of Ministry of Women and Child
Development is explained with the help of following flow Chart No.8.1.
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development,
Annual Report 2006-07, Annexure II, p.178.
Min
iste
r of
Sta
te
Sec
reta
ry
Sta
tist
ical
Ad
vis
or
Eco
nom
ic
Ad
vis
or
Join
t S
ecre
tary
Jo
int
Sec
reta
ry
Fin
an
cial
Ad
vis
er
Join
t S
ecre
tary
Director(Finance)
Chief Controller
of Accounts
Joint Director
Deputy Secretary
Deputy Economic
Advisor
Director
Deputy Secretary
Deputy
Secretary
Director
Technical
Advisor
Director
Deputy Secretary
Deputy Secretary
Director
Director
Budget and Finance -Gender
Budgeting
Plan & Research, Monitoring & Evaluation, Annual Report, Annual/
Five Year Plans, Monitoring Child Indicators, GDI, Child Development Indicators
General Co-ordination
Gender Budgeting, 27-beneficiary oriented schemes, Child
Marriage(Restraint) Act,
Matters relating to sex ratio, Balika
Samridhi Yojana
Juvenile Justice Act (Care & Protection of Children Act, 2000),
Probation of juvenile offenders,
street children
of Children Act, 2000)
Child Help Line, CARA,
Shishu Greh
Media
Food & Nutrition Board
WB-Assisted ICDS Projects(ICDS-III,
APER &ICDS-IV),
ICDS training, IT,NA,NIPCCD Admn
Pre-school Education, UNICEF(CDN),
CARE &WFP, ICDS General/SNP,
Finance,IMS Act, Wheat Based Nutrition,
Personnel Administration
CSWB Admn., STEP, Swambalan
Women Welfare, Women Development,
Stree-shakti Puraskar, UNDP Projects,
WWH, SSH
Swadhar, Swayamsiddha, IMY, MSY,
Swa-shakti, IFAD-Assisted Projects,
RMK Admn
Ch
art
No.
8.1
: O
rgan
isati
on
of
Min
istr
y o
f W
om
en a
nd
Ch
ild
Dev
elo
pm
en
t
General Administration, Parliament
Unit/Hindi, Children Welfare Awards,
National/International Instruments,
National Plan of Action for Children,
Offences Against Children Bill
246
Section II
8.4: Department of Women and Child Development:
Different Programmes and Schemes
Different programmes and schemes of the Department of Women and
Child Development and total budgetary allocation to the Department from
1996-97 to 2006-07 are discussed below. Only Budget Estimates (BE) are
analysed. Expenditure can be broadly classified into Plan and Non-Plan. For the
purpose of the present study total expenditure is taken into account. This is for
the reason that data on Non-Plan expenditure is not available in respect of several
programmes/schemes.
8.4.1: Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): The ICDS is a
comprehensive programme designed to ensure the holistic development of
children. It is one of the largest and unique childcare programmes in the World. It
is a multi-sectoral programme and involves several government departments and
their services. Their services are coordinated at the village, block, district, state
and central levels. The responsibility of implementation of ICDS scheme is
vested with the Department of Women and Child Development. It integrates
several aspects of early childhood development and provides supplementary
nutrition, immunisation, health check-ups and referral services to children below
six years of age as well as expecting and nursing mothers. The ICDS Scheme
was launched in 1975 as a centrally sponsored scheme in 33 blocks and used
Below Poverty Line (BPL) as criteria for delivery of services. In 2005 the ICDS
was expanded throughout the country, as per the Supreme Court order in 2004303
.
Objectives: The ICDS Scheme has the following objectives:
1. To improve the nutritional and health status of children below the age of
six years;
2. To lay the foundation for the proper psychological, physical and social
development of the child;
303
Centre for Development and Finance, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme
Brief, Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR), Chennai, 2009-10, p.1.
247
3. To reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school
drop-outs;
4. To achieve effective coordination of policy and implementation among
various departments to promote child development.
Beneficiaries: The beneficiaries are children below 6 years; expectant and
lactating mothers; and women in the reproductive age group of 15 to 44 years.
Services: Toward achieving the above objectives, a holistic package of basic
services provided under the programme includes:
1) Supplementary nutrition; 2) Immunisation; 3) Health check-up; 4) Referral
services; 5) Treatment of minor illnesses; 6) Nutrition and health education to
women; 7) Pre-school education to children in the age-group of 3-6 years; and
8) Convergence of other supportive services like water supply, sanitation, etc.
Funding Pattern: ICDS is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented through
the state governments/ union territories. In 2005-06 it was decided to provide
assistance to states up to 50 percent of the financial norms or to support 50
percent expenditure incurred by them on supplementary nutrition, whichever is
less.
The scheme which was started in 1975-76 on experimental basis in 33
projects has been extended to 5614 centrally sponsored ICDS projects of which
4200 projects became operational304
. It was found that 3.81 million expectant
and nursing mothers and 21.0 million children under six years of age were
benefitted305
. According to Economic Survey 2000-01, around 26.5 million
pre-school children below 6 years and 5.6 million expectant and nursing mothers
were benefitted under this programme. Economic Survey 2003-04 throws light
on the fact that about 378.16 lakh beneficiaries consisting of 315.25 lakh children
304
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Economic Survey 1998-99, Chapter on “Social
Sectors”. 305
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Economic Survey 1998-99, Chapter on “Social
Sectors”.
248
and 62.91 lakh expectant and lactating mothers have received benefits through
6.41 lakh Anganwadi centres.
Kishori Shakti Yojana was launched in 2000-01 as a part of ICDS for
adolescent girls in the age group of 11-18 years, which aims at promoting
awareness of health, hygiene, nutrition, childcare and training to improve
vocational skills. To bring more number of beneficiaries under the scheme, the
government in December 2007 has approved additional projects, 1,07,274
additional Anganwadis and 25,961 Mini Anganwadi centres.
Progress of the Scheme: ICDS was initiated in the year 1975 in 33 development
blocks of the country and later it was extended to the entire country in 2005. The
services are delivered through a network of over one million AWCs and reaches
more than 70 million children and 15 million pregnant and lactating mothers. The
third round of the National Family Health Survey(NHFS) conducted in 2005-06
found that only 80 percent of children in the 0-6 year age-range were in areas
covered by an AWC and that only 28 percent had received any service from an
AWC in the year preceding the survey. Only one in five expectant and lactating
mothers in the areas having an AWC received any services from an AWC.
According to NHFS 3 (2005-06), there has been a marginal decline in stunted306
and underweight children under 5 years of age, of 6 and 3 percentage points,
respectively. However, there was a 3 percent increase in wasted children307
.
During the same period children affected by severe anaemia increased by 25
percent. Despite the moderate decline in infant mortality rates over the three
national survey periods, the data reveals that more than one in 18 children die
within the first year of life and one in 13 children die before they reach the age of
306
Stunting: poor height for age; Stunting reflects failure to receive adequate nutrition over a long
period of time and is also affected by recurrent and chronic illness. Height-for-age, therefore,
represents the long-term effects of malnutrition in a population and does not vary according to
recent dietary intake. (Centre for Development and Finance, Integrated Child Development
Services (ICDS) Scheme Brief, Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR),
Chennai, 2009-10, pp.2-3). 307
Wasting: poor weight for height. (Centre for Development and Finance, Integrated Child
Development Services (ICDS) Scheme Brief, Institute for Financial Management and Research
(IFMR), Chennai, 2009-10, pp.2-3).
249
5, with the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes experiencing greater mortality
rates308
.
Table No.8.1 sheds light on budgetary provision for the Integrated Child
Development Services (ICDS) programme for the period 1996-2007.
Table No. 8.1: ICDS: Budgetary Provision
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 681.90 …. 681.90
1997-98 733.90 …. 733.90
1998-99 603.14 … 603.14
1999-00 855.76 … 855.76
2000-01 935.00 … 935.00
2001-02 1198.00 … 1198.00
2002-03 1442.24 … 1442.24
2003-04 1444.32 … 1444.32
2004-05 1623.44 … 1623.44
2005-06 3142.25 … 3142.25
2006-07 4007.76 … 4007.76
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-
97 to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
A glance at the Table No.8.1 shows that between the period 1996-97 and
2006-07 the total budgetary allocation has continuously increased except in the
year 1998-99. During the year 1996-97, the total budgetary allocation was
Rs.681.90 crore which increased to Rs.733.90 crore in 1997-98 and declined to
Rs.603.14 crore in the year 1998-99. Further, it increased to Rs.855.76 crore and
to Rs.935.00 crore during the years 1999-00 and 2000-01 respectively. It can be
observed that in the year 2001-02, the total amount budgeted augmented to
Rs.1198.00 crore. The budgetary provision has again increased to Rs.1442.24
crore in 2002-03; to Rs.1444.32 crore in 2003-04; to Rs.1623.44 crore in
2004-05, to Rs.3142.25 crore in 2005-06 and to Rs.4007.76 crore in 2006-07
308
Centre for Development and Finance, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme
Brief, Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR), Chennai, 2009-10, pp.2-3.
250
respectively. The overall increase in terms of percentage between 1996-97 and
2006-07 was 487.73.
The information contained in the above Table No.8.1 is explained with
the help of following Graph Nos.8.2 and 8.3.
Graph No. 8.2: ICDS: Budgetary Provision
Graph No: 8.3: ICDS: Budgetary Provision
251
Evaluation of ICDS Programme: ICDS, being the world‟s largest programme
for the development of children has enabled the mothers to take proper care of
their children by providing them appropriate information and guidance. Several
aspects of ICDS are researched. Several evaluation studies on implementation of
ICDS scheme were conducted in the past, namely, Programme Evaluation
Organisation of the Planning Commission in 1982, National Evaluation of ICDS
scheme conducted by NIPCCD in 1992, Nationwide Evaluation of ICDS by
National Council of Applied Economic Research(NCAER), 1998-1999 and
“Three Decades of ICDS- An Appraisal” by NIPCCD in 2005-06. One of the
important study is “Concurrent Evaluation of Integrated Child Development
Services: National Report (Volume-I), 2001”309
, entrusted to National Council of
Applied Economic Research (NCAER) by MWCD, to carry out nationwide
evaluation of ICDS projects.
The NCAER study covered almost 90 percent of the country‟s population
in all the States and Union Territories. It covered households, Child Development
Project Officers (CDPO), Supervisors, AWWs (Anganwadi Worker) and
Community Leaders. Nearly 4000 projects, 60,000 AWCs, 4000 Mukhya Sevikas
and 1.80 lakh beneficiary households with children in the age group 0-1 year, 13
years and 3-6 years were selected. Some of the important findings are as under:
1. IMR of ICDS areas was lower than IMR of ICDS plus Non-ICDS
areas;
2. Nearly 50 percent AWCs in the country, except those in Tamil Nadu,
Kerala, Karnataka and Orissa were functioning from community
buildings. Of the sampled data, about 40 percent were functioning
from pucca buildings;
3. Nearly 50 percent AWCs in the country reported adequate space,
especially for cooking;
309
Gupta Devender B and Anil Gumber., “Concurrent Evaluation of Integrated Child
Development Services: National Report(Volume-I)”, 2001, in Research on ICDS: An Overview
(1996-2008), Volume 3, NIPCCD, New Delhi, 2009, pp.78-80.
252
4. Community leaders were generally positive about the functioning of
the AWCs (more than 80 percent in all states) while more than 70
percent found the programme to be beneficial to the community;
5. On an average, nearly 66 percent of the eligible children and 75
percent of the eligible women were registered at the AWCs. This
indicates lack of motivation on the part of the AWCs in identifying
and registering the entire eligible population;
6. Referral system was found to be quite weak in many states and needs
a review.
According to the main findings of NIPCCD survey conducted in 2005-06,
75 percent of AWCs were in pucca structure, 75.25 percent children (6-36
months) were availing ICDS services, 87 percent expecting and lactating mothers
were registered310
.
8.4.2: World Bank Assisted ICDS Projects: The World Bank expressed its
interest in funding the ICDS. It has provided assistance to raise the status of
nutrition in India, in general, since 1980 through six projects. The overall
investment is US$ 712.3 million in the project, India accounts for the largest
volume of Bank Group lending devoted specifically to nutrition programmes. The
World Bank supports ICDS in three overlapping phases311
:
Phase I: In this phase the Bank supported the Tamil Nadu Integrated Project
(TINP) as an alternative to the standard ICDS in the state of Tamil Nadu (TINP
I: 1980-89; TINP II: 1990-97). The first World Bank assisted Project covered 110
blocks in Andhra Pradesh and 191 blocks in Orissa in 1990-91. The project
covered tribal and socio-economically backward rural blocks in the two states.
The World Bank assisted to the tune of US$74 million.
310
National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development, NIPCCD Survey, accessed
on 14th
December 2009 (www.nipccd.nic.in). 311
Michele Gragnolati, Meera Shekar, Monica Das Gupta, Caryn Bredenkamp and Yi-Kyoung
Lee., “India‟s Undernourished Children:A Call for Reform and Action”, HNP Discussion Paper,
World Bank, 2005, pp.36-37.
253
Phase II: This phase provided assistance to the standard government ICDS
programmes, as well as some additional activities (ICDS I in Orissa and Andhra
Pradesh, 1991-1997, and ICDS II in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, 1993-2000).
Phase II covered predominantly tribal and socio-economic backward areas
covering 210 blocks in Bihar and 244 blocks in Madhya Pradesh. The World
Bank provided US$ 194 million for the project.
Phase III: In this phase the primary emphasis has moved from expanding
coverage to improving quality of services (through an ICDS component in
Andhra Pradesh Economic Restructuring Programme (APERP), 1999-2004, and
the Woman and Child Development Project, 1999-2004). The World Bank
assisted ICDS-III Project was approved in March 1999 covering the states of
Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Kerala. It proposes to
strengthen and improve the quality of ICDS services and management in the 685
existing ICDS blocks and introduces ICDS in 318 new blocks. It covered tribal
blocks, rural disadvantaged blocks in these states. The World Bank credit of US
$300 million was available for the project.
World Bank assistance is being received for expansion of the ICDS
Programme since 1990-91312
. The WB-ICDS Project I (1991-97) covered 301
ICDS Projects in the states of Andhra Pradesh (110) and Orissa (191) while
WB-ICDS Project II (1997-2000) covered 454 projects in the states of Bihar
(210) and Madhya Pradesh (244). This project was extended up to 2002. The
WB-ICDS Project III (1998-2004) started in 1998-99 aims at covering 461
projects in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The World Bank assisted ICDS Programme in
Andhra Pradesh is implemented in 257 blocks as part of the total Programme in
APERP. The scheme was operational in 4384 blocks in 2000. At the end of
2001-02, 5171 blocks/urban areas were proposed to be covered which implied 90
percent coverage of blocks by the end of Ninth Plan.
312
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Economic Survey 2001-02, Chapter on “Social
Sectors”.
254
Present Status: The World Bank assisted ICDS-III project which was implemented in
October 1999, ended on 31st March 2006. However, the ICDS blocks continue to be
funded under ICDS (General) from 1st April 2006. Table No.8.2 manifests about the
budgetary provision for the World Bank Assisted ICDS Projects from 1996-97 to
2006-07.
Table No. 8.2: World Bank Assisted ICDS Projects
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 NA NA NA
1997-98 NA NA NA
1998-99 331.95 … 331.95
1999-00 231.00 … 231.00
2000-01 180.00 … 180.00
2001-02 220.0 … 220.00
2002-03 288.48 … 288.48
2003-04 600.00 … 600.00
2004-05 270.00 … 270.00
2005-06 135.00 … 135.00
2006-07 1.48 … 1.48
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from
1996-97 to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands
for Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
For the year 1998-99 the total budgetary provision was Rs.331.95 crore
which declined to Rs.231 crore in 1999-00. The total budgetary allocation which
was Rs.180 crore in the year 2000-01, increased to Rs.220 crore in 2001-02. It
increased to Rs.288.48 crore in the fiscal year 2002-03. It can be observed that
the total amount allocated stepped up to Rs.600 crore in 2003-04 and declined to
Rs.270.00 crore, to Rs.135.00 crore and to Rs.1.48 crore during 2004-05,
2005-06 and 2006-07 respectively.
8.4.3: Training Component under ICDS: Imparting proper training is most
crucial in ICDS scheme as the achievement of targets chiefly depends upon the
effectiveness of training given to workers. The importance of training and
continuous capacity building of the field functionaries in ICDS is well recognised
as crucial for success of the programme. A comprehensive training programme
255
under ICDS is carried out through the National Institute of Public Cooperation
and Child Development, selected training institutions and the state governments.
World Bank assistance is available to undertake this project. In the Eleventh Five
Year Plan, the Government of India has laid emphasis on strengthening the
training component of ICDS programme to improve the service delivery
mechanism and accelerate better programme outcomes. The National Training
component of the World Bank assisted ICDS-III/WCD Project (1999-2006)
christened as „Project Udisha‟ (new dawn) was launched in the year 1999 initially
for five years. The project ended on March 31, 2006.
Objective: The vital objective of „Training Component under ICDS‟ is to
provide comprehensive „job‟ training to various ICDS functionaries.
Components: All ICDS functionaries have three main components313
, namely,
regular training (wherein basic job training is provided), other trainings (wherein
innovative-areas specific trainings are provided) and IEC (Information, Education
and Communication)314
, etc. The syllabus of training is revised as per the specific
needs of the state.
Progress of the Scheme: Over 3 lakh ICDS functionaries and 1.05 lakh
functionaries were given job training and refresher training respectively. A sum
of Rs.172.71 crore was released till October 2002 to various states315
. As on
March 2006 about 928,000 ICDS functionaries, out of which 366,000 AWWs
and another 759,000 persons have been imparted on-job and refresher training
under Udisha Project through a countrywide network of about 600 Anganwadi
Training Centres, 40 Middle level training centres and National Institute of
Public Cooperation and Child Development and its Regional Centres316
. The
following Table No.8.3 provides information on budgetary outlay related to
Training Programme under ICDS from 1996-97 to 2006-07.
313
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2005-06 , Chapter 3, “Programmes for Children”, p.58. 314
National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development, Research on ICDS: An
Overview (1996-2008), Volume 3, New Delhi, 2009, p.302. 315
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Economic Survey 2002-03, Chapter on “Social
Sectors”. 316
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2006-07,
Chapter 3, “Programmes for Children”, p.57.
256
Table No. 8.3: Expenditure on Training Programme
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 NA NA NA
1997-98 NA NA NA
1998-99 40.00 … 40.00
1999-00 60.00 … 60.00
2000-01 35.00 … 35.00
2001-02 40.00 … 40.00
2002-03 62.00 … 62.00
2003-04 76.50 … 76.50
2004-05 54.00 … 54.00
2005-06 38.00 … 38.00
2006-07 78.30 … 78.30
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from
1996-97 to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands
for Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
Table No.8.3 reveals that during the year 1998-99 the total outlay was
Rs.40.00 crore which increased to Rs.60.00 crore in 1999-00. The total budgetary
provision declined to Rs.35.00 crore in 2000-01. It increased to Rs.40 crore,
Rs.62 crore and Rs.76.50 crore during the years 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04
respectively. The total allocated amount declined to Rs.54.00 crore in 2004-05
and to Rs.38.00 crore in 2005-06, which increased to Rs.78.30 crore in the year
2006-07. The percentage increase during the period 1996-2007 was 95.75.
8.4.4: Day Care Centres: The scheme is implemented through Central Social
Welfare Board with the help of voluntary organisations throughout the country.
The department proposes to expand child care services in the country to enable
more women to enter work force.
Objectives: The scheme envisaged the following objectives:
1. To provide day care services for children below 5 years belonging to
weaker sections of society, whose family income does not exceed
Rs.1800 per month.
257
2. To provide health care, supplementary nutrition, medical check-up and
immunisation, etc., to the children whose parents are away at work sites
or are unable to look after them because of sickness.
Beneficiaries: Children below five years age are entitled to avail benefits of this
scheme.
Progress: The total number of creches sanctioned under Day Care Centre scheme
and number of creches sanctioned under National Creches Fund were 17607 and
total number of beneficiaries including both schemes were 4,40,175317
.
Present Status: Upward revision of norms of existing Day Care Centres and
Creches was taken in 2006-07. The scheme was rechristened as Rajiv Gandhi
Creche Scheme for Working Mothers in the year 2006-07318
. According to
Economic Survey 2003-04, nearly 33.11 lakh children were benefitted under the
scheme till 2003-04.
Rajiv Gandhi Creche Scheme for Working Mothers: It was launched with
effect from 1st January, 2006 which is implemented through Central Social
Welfare Board and two national level voluntary organisations, namely Indian
Council for Child Welfare and Bhartiya Adim Jati Sevak Sangh319
. The main
objective of the scheme of creches is to promote a healthy all round development
of children of the working/ailing mothers particularly those employed in the
unorganised sector and belonging to the BPL category.
Beneficiaries: The eligibility criteria for availing the services under the new
scheme are:
1. Under this scheme creche facilities are provided to children, for the age group
0-6 years, for the children of working women, provided the monthly income of
both parents does not exceed Rs.12000/-.
317
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2005-06, Chapter 3, “Programmes for Children”, p.59 and Annexure- XVII, p.208. 318
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budget 2006-07, Expenditure Budget,
Volume II, Notes on Demands for Grants, p.135. 319
Government of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India 2009, A Reference
Annual, Fifty Third Edition, New Delhi, 2009, p.1000.
258
2. It provides assistance to ensure sleeping facilities, health care, supplementary
nutrition, immunisation, emergency medicines, etc., for running a creche for 25
babies for eight hours, that is, from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Components: The components of this scheme are Creche Worker‟s Training,
Monitoring of the Creches and Providing Grant to Creches.
Creche Worker’s Training: The scheme provides short term training to every
creche worker. The training module is made available through NIPCCD and is
implemented through training agencies that will be identified with the help of
state governments.
Progress of the Scheme: During the year 2006-07, about 30902 creches were
sanctioned including 5137 creches sanctioned under National Creche Fund
benefitting 7,72,550 children320
. At the end of 31st March 2008, 31737 creches
were sanctioned benefitting 7,93,425 children321
. Table No.8.4 contains statistical
information on budgetary provision pertaining to Day Care Centres from 1996-97
to 2006-07.
320
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2006-07,
Chapter 3, “Programmes for Children”, p.59 and Annexure XXI, p.197. 321
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2007-08,
Chapter 3, “Programmes for Children”, p.59 and Annexure XIX, p.233.
259
Table No. 8.4: Day Care Centres *
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 7.50 15.55 23.05
1997-98 7.50 15.55 23.05
1998-99 7.50 15.55 23.05
1999-00 5.00 15.50 20.50
2000-01 4.50 14.00 18.50
2001-02 7.45 14.50 21.95
2002-03 10.80 15.00 25.80
2003-04 18.00 14.50 32.50
2004-05 27.00 14.00 41.00
2005-06 28.50 13.00 41.50
2006-07 81.00 13.00 94.00
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from
1996-97 to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands
for Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
*Upward revision of norms of existing creches and Day Care Centres was
undertaken in 2005-06. The name of the scheme was changed to
Rajiv Gandhi Creche Scheme for the Children of Working
Mothers. From the year 2006-07, Day Care Centres is rechristened
as Rajiv Gandhi Creche Scheme.
It can be observed from the Table No.8.4 that a total provision of
Rs.23.05 crore was made in 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99. In the next year
1999-00 it declined to Rs.20.50 crore and again the budgetary provision was
reduced to Rs.18.50 crore in 2000-01. Table No.8.4 reveals that, from 2001-02 to
2006-07, the total outlay continuously increased. For example, it was Rs.21.95
crore in 2001-02 which increased to Rs.25.80 crore in 2002-03 and to Rs.32.50
crore in 2003-04. The total allocated amount was Rs.41.00 crore in 2004-05 and
it marginally increased to Rs.41.50 crore in 2005-06. During the fiscal year
2006-07 the total outlay jumped to Rs.94 crore from Rs.41.50 crore in 2005-06.
Between 1996-97 and 2006-07, the overall increase in terms of percentage was
307.80. The data contained in the above Table No.8.4 is explained with the help
of Graph No.8.4 and Graph No.8.5.
260
Graph No. 8.4: Day Care Centres
Graph No. 8.5: Day Care Centres
Evaluation Study on Day Care Centres: The evaluation study on Day Care
Centres entitled “An Evaluation Study of Creches Run under National Creche
261
Fund” was conducted by NIPCCD322
. This study was conducted to evaluate the
availability of infrastructural facilities, suitability of timings with respect to
working hours of mothers, reason for drop-outs, level of job satisfaction among
staff, to evaluate organisational capacity of NGOs/VOs, to find difficulties faced
in implementing schemes and to suggest ways and means for improving
implementation and widening coverage. A sample of 57 centres from general
category was selected from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Andhra
Pradesh; and 7 centres of anganwadi-cum-creches were selected from Andhra
Pradesh and Orissa. It was found that 93 percent centres had one worker and one
helper, 85 percent workers were untrained. Majority of the workers reported job
dissatisfaction due to low honorarium (94%), lack of training in managing
children (44%), heavy workload and lack of support and appreciation for work
done (60%). Less than 50 percent centres conducted outdoor and indoor activities
for the children. Health checkup facility was not available in 42 percent general
category centres. Provision of supplementary nutrition was seen as an important
incentive for mothers to enroll their children in the centre.
8.4.5: Government of India- UNICEF Cooperation: UNICEF projects are
being implemented in India through Master Plan of Operations (MPO), which is
an agreement prepared after mutual consultation and consensus within the
framework of Basic Agreement signed between India and UNICEF in 1978. India
has the largest Country Programme of UNICEF in the world. These programmes
are being implemented through various Ministries and Departments dealing with
children like, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare, etc323
. The programme contributes toward:
1. Reduction in infant and maternal mortality;
2. Improvements in levels of child nutrition;
3. Ensuring universal elementary education;
322
This study was conducted by NIPCCD, New Delhi, 2004 (Research Abstracts on Human
Development, 1998-2009, Documentation Centre for Women and Children, NIPCCD, New Delhi,
2010, pp.15-16). 323
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2006-07,
Chapter 3, “Programmes for Children”, p.60.
262
4. Enhancing child protection; and
5. Protecting children and adolescents from HIV.
India is annually contributing an amount of Rs.3.80 crore to UNICEF324
.
The Table No.8.5 has information related to „Contribution to UNICEF‟ from GOI
from 1996-97 to 2006-07.
Table No. 8.5: Contribution of GOI to UNICEF
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 …… 3.10 3.10
1997-98 …… 3.10 3.10
1998-99 …… 3.10 3.10
1999-00 …… 3.10 3.10
2000-01 ……. 3.60 3.60
2001-02 …… 4.00 4.00
2002-03 …… 3.89 3.89
2003-04 …… 3.10 3.10
2004-05 …… 3.10 3.10
2005-06 …… 3.10 3.10
2006-07 …… 3.80 3.80
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from
1996-97 to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands
for Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
A perusal at the Table No.8.5 reveals that total outlay varied between
Rs.3.10 crore and Rs.3.80 crore. The budgetary provision was Rs.3.10 crore
between the period 1996-97 and 1999-2000. It increased to Rs.3.60 crore in
2000-01 and to Rs.4.00 crore in 2001-02. During the year 2002-03 it declined to
Rs.3.89 crore and further to Rs.3.10 crore in 2003-04. For the next two years
2004-05 and 2005-06 the total amount of money remained same, that is, Rs.3.10
crore. It again increased to Rs.3.80 crore in the year 2006-07. The percentage
increase between the period 1996 and 2007 is 22.58.
8.4.6: National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development
(NIPCCD): It is an autonomous organisation under the aegis of the Department
324
ibid.
263
of Women and Child Development. Its headquarters are in New Delhi. It is the
apex institute for training of functionaries of ICDS325
.
Objectives: The institute aims to concentrate on the following objectives:326
1. To develop and promote voluntary action in social development;
2. To take a comprehensive view of women and child development;
3. To develop and promote programmes in pursuance of the National Policy
for Children;
4. To develop measures for coordination of governmental and voluntary
action in social development; and
5. To evolve a framework and perspective for organising children‟s
programmes through governmental and voluntary efforts.
The vision of the institute is to become regional centre of excellence and
knowledge in the fields of Women Rights and Child Development.
Programmes and Activities of the Institute: The Institute conducts training
programmes under three broad categories, namely, 1) Regular training
programmes, 2) Training of ICDS functionaries and 3) Training programmes
under other projects, in the areas of Public Cooperation, Child Development and
related issues.
In the year 2000-01, the Institute organised 89 programmes against the
target of 65 programmes and these programmes were attended by 3556
participants against a target of 1950327
. Several new initiatives are taken by
NIPCCD. Some of them are: 1) Child rights, policies and legislation; 2) Early
childhood care and development; 3) Gender sensitisation of national machinery;
4) Teleconference between Parliamentarians and women at grassroots; 5) Gender
budgeting and gender indicators; 6) Women and Media; 7) Implementation of
325
Government of India, National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development,
“About Us”, accessed on 6th
October 2010 (www.nipccd.nic.in). 326
ibid. 327
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2001-02, Chapter 13, “National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development”, p.3.
264
National Policy for the Empowerment of Women; 8) Gender analysis of state
budgets; 9) Role of voluntary organisations in development, etc.
There are six divisions through which NIPCCD carries out its
functions328
, namely, Public Cooperation; Child Development; Women‟s
Development; Monitoring and Evaluation; and Common Services. These
Divisions are further grouped under two Departments, namely, the Department
of Mother and Child Development and the Department of Training and Common
Services.
Progress of the Scheme: In the year 2001-02, the Institute organised 83
programmes against the target of 45 programmes. These programmes were
attended by 4,641 participants against a target of 1,125. During the year 2002-03,
the Institute organised 79 programmes up to December 2002 against the target of
35 programmes, 6,669 participants attended these programmes against the target
of 875 participants329
. In the year 2003-04, the Institute organised 95
programmes against the target of 35 programmes, 4,802 participants attended
these programmes against the target of 875 participants330
. During 2004-05, the
Institute organised 87 programmes against the target of 60 programmes. The
number of participants were 3,217 against the target of 1,500331
. The Institute
organised 87 programmes against the target of 60 programmes in the year
2005-06 and was attended by 2,971 participants against the target of 1,500
participants332
. During 2006-07, it organised 99 programmes against the annual
target of 60 programmes. About 2,963 participants attended these programmes
against the target of 1,500 participants333
.
328
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2001-02, Chapter 13, “National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development”, p.2. 329
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2002-03,
Chapter 12, “National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development”, pp.156-157. 330
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2003-04, Chapter 6, “National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development”, p.43. 331
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2004-05, Chapter 8, “National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development”, p.148. 332
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2005-06, Chapter 8, “National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development”, p.148. 333
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2006-07,
Chapter 8, “National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development”, p.133.
265
The Institute is continuously strengthening its research base on issues
related to women and child development. It collaborates with regional, national
and international agencies, universities, research institutions and technical bodies
for the said purpose.
Table No.8.6 contains outlay figures of National Institute of Public
Cooperation and Child Development for the decade 1996-97 - 2006-07.
Table No. 8.6: Budgetary Provision of NIPCCD
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 3.00 2.96 5.96
1997-98 3.00 3.00 6.00
1998-99 2.60 3.00 5.60
1999-00 3.50 5.20 8.70
2000-01 1.50 5.30 6.80
2001-02 2.50 5.90 8.40
2002-03 5.50 6.00 11.50
2003-04 4.50 6.20 10.70
2004-05 5.25 6.50 11.75
2005-06 4.35 7.00 11.35
2006-07 4.50 7.30 11.80
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
The total outlay was Rs.5.96 crore in 1996-97. It increased to Rs.6.00
crore in 1997-98. In the next year, the budgetary provision slightly declined to
Rs.5.60 crore and increased to Rs.8.70 crore in 1999-00. Table No.8.6 shows
that the total amount allocated declined to Rs.6.80 crore in 2000-01, but it
increased to Rs.11.50 crore in 2002-03. It, however, decreased to Rs.10.70 crore
in 2003-04. For the next three years it was around Rs. 11.00 crore. It is observed
from Table No.8.6 that the overall increase in terms of percentage is 97.98.
8.4.7: Other Schemes: These include provision of Balsevika and Creches
Worker‟s Training Programme, handling and clearance of duty-free aid for child
266
nutrition, assistance to voluntary organisations for miscellaneous activities. It also
includes provision for National Children‟s Board, National Awards for Child
Welfare, Universal Children‟s Day, Indo-Foreign Exchange Programme, UN
Contribution, National Fund for Child Care Services, Research Publications and
assistance to voluntary organisations for providing Social Defence, Mass
Education and Information and National Commission for Children. Details
pertaining to budgetary provisions to „Other Schemes‟ can be had from Table
No.8.7.
Table No. 8.7: Other Schemes
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 2.36 0.25 2.61
1997-98 3.29 0.29 3.58
1998-99 3.35 0.29 3.64
1999-00 3.12 0.28 3.40
2000-01 2.92 0.29 3.21
2001-02 7.23 0.31 7.54
2002-03 11.70 0.49 12.19
2003-04 8.20 0.49 8.69
2004-05 14.10 0.51 14.61
2005-06 13.55 0.57 14.12
2006-07 18.12 0.53 18.65
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
In the year 1996-97 the total budgetary allocation was Rs.2.61 crore. It
increased to Rs.3.58 crore in 1997-98 and to Rs.3.64 crore in 1998-99. It can be
observed that the total outlay has slightly declined to Rs.3.40 crore and to Rs.3.21
crore in the years 1999-00 and 2000-01 respectively. The total budgetary
allocation increased to Rs.7.54 crore in 2001-02 and further it increased to
Rs.12.19 crore in 2002-03. It declined to Rs.8.69 crore in 2003-04 and thereafter,
it increased to Rs.14.61 crore in 2004-05. For the year 2005-06, the budgetary
provision was Rs.14.12 crore and in 2006-07, it was Rs.18.65 crore. In terms of
percent, the increase during 1996-97 - 2006-07 was 614.55.
267
8.4.8: Condensed Courses of Education for Women: The scheme of
Condensed Courses of Education for Women is implemented through Central
Social Welfare Board334
. It was initiated in 1958 to cater to the needs of adult
girls and women who could not join the mainstream education system or were
school dropouts or failed candidates. It endeavours women to complete their
schooling and upgrade their skills to meet the demands of changing work
environment. The scheme is being implemented through voluntary organisations
and educational institutions having proper infrastructure and experience in the
field of women/social development and education across the country. Skill
training and up-gradation of skills is an integral part of the scheme. The scheme
can also be run in aftercare homes and custodial institutions for women.
Objectives: The scheme of Condensed Courses of Education for Women is
initiated with the following objectives:
1. The scheme aims to provide educational opportunities to girls/women
above the age of 15 years along with relevant skills and vocational
training.
2. This scheme aims to increase confidence among adult women through
education, making them able citizens.
3. It aims to enable women to complete their education, acquire training and
later on employment.
Beneficiaries: The beneficiaries under this scheme constitute girls and women
above 15+ years age group. It provides education to women who are young
widows, deserted women and women belonging to economically backward
classes.
Components: The main focus of the scheme is to ensure that contents of the
course are need-based and modified according to local requirements,
simultaneously targeting various stages of educational levels of
primary/middle/high school and secondary level courses. 334
Government of India, Central Social Welfare Board, accessed on 12th
January 2009.
(www.cswb.gov.in).
268
Progress of the Scheme: In the year 2000-01, 794 courses were sanctioned and
an expenditure of Rs.741.01 lakh was incurred benefitting 20,025 women. For the
year 2001-02, 119 courses were sanctioned. During the first three quarters of
2002-03, 89 courses were sanctioned at a total cost of Rs.88.92 lakh benefitting
2,225 women candidates335
. In the year 2003-04, Rs.400 lakh was released, 392
courses were sanctioned benefitting 10,100 women and in 2004-05, 336 courses
were sanctioned and an amount of Rs.263.60 lakh was released and has
benefitted 8,400 women candidates336
. During the year 2005-06, 700 courses
were sanctioned benefitting 17,500 women and an amount of Rs.599.99 lakh was
released and in the year 2006-07, 700 courses were sanctioned which benefitted
17,450 women and an amount of Rs.600.00 lakh was released during this year337
.
Table No.8.8 enables us to understand the progress of the scheme Condensed
Courses for Women Education between 2000-01 and 2006-07.
Table No. 8.8: Progress of the Scheme:
Condensed Courses of Education for Women
Year No. of Courses No. of
Beneficiaries
Amount:
Rs. In Lakh
2000-01 794 20025 741.01
2001-02 119 NA 500.00
2002-03 89 2225 88.92
2003-04 392 10100 400.00
2004-05 336 8400 263.60
2005-06 700 17500 599.99
2006-07 700 17450 600.00
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual
Reports from 2000-01 to 2006-07.
The data contained in Table No.8.8 is depicted in the Graph No.8.6.
335
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2002-03, Chapter 13, “Central Social Welfare Board”, p.169. 336
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Reports
2003-04 and 2004-05, Chapters on CSWB, p.53 and pp.163-164. 337
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2006-07,
Annexure –XXXIX, p.146. And also Annual Report 2007-08, Annexure-XXXII, p.267.
269
Graph No. 8.6: Progress of the Scheme:
Condensed Courses of Education for Women
The following Table No.8.9 throws light on budgetary allocation related
to the scheme Condensed Courses of Education for Women during 1996-97 to
2006-07.
270
Table No. 8.9: Condensed Courses of Education for Women
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 9.00 … 9.00
1997-98 9.00 … 9.00
1998-99 9.00 … 9.00
1999-00 9.00 … 9.00
2000-01 1.50 … 1.50
2001-02 2.00 … 2.00
2002-03 1.80 … 1.80
2003-04 3.60 … 3.60
2004-05 5.25 … 5.25
2005-06 5.40 … 5.40
2006-07 5.40 … 5.40
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
It is clear from the Table No.8.9 that between the period 1996-97 and
1999-2000, the total budgetary allocation has remained same that is, it was
Rs.9.00 crore. The total outlay declined to Rs.1.50 crore in 2000-01 and it
slightly increased to Rs.2.00 crore in 2001-02 and further it declined to Rs.1.80
crore in 2002-03. No such specific information is available explaining reasons for
a steep decline from Rs.9.00 crore in 1999-00 to Rs.1.50 crore in 2000-01.
During the year 2003-04 the total budgeted amount increased to Rs.3.60 crore
and further to Rs.5.25 crore in 2004-05. For the next two fiscal years 2005-06 and
2006-07, the total budgetary allocation has remained same, that is, Rs.5.40 crore.
It can be observed that the change in budgetary provision between 1996-97 and
2006-07 in terms of percentage is -40.
Evaluation Study on Condensed Courses of Education for Women: A
National Working Group on Condensed Course of Education for Women and
Vocational Training was constituted during September 2004. The Chairman of
this Committee was Anil Bordia, Former Secretary, Education, Government of
India, for revamping/evaluation of the condensed course scheme. The Working
Group conducted an in depth study of the scheme and recommended continuation
271
of the scheme modifying objective and framework. The report is under
consideration of the Ministry of Women and Child Development338
.
8.4.9: Hostels for Working Women: The scheme of assistance for construction
or expansion of hostel buildings for working women with day care facilities for
children is being implemented since 1972-73. Under this scheme assistance is
provided to voluntary organisations, NGO‟s, cooperative bodies and other
agencies engaged in the field of women‟s welfare, women‟s education, public
sector undertakings, women‟s development corporations, local bodies,
universities, state governments, etc., for the construction of Working Women‟s
Hostels to provide suitable and economical accommodation to working women
and for the purchase of ready-built hostels for the purpose.
Objectives: The scheme is aimed at the following objectives:
1. It envisages provision of safe and affordable accommodation to working
women (single working women, widows, divorcees, separated women,
etc.).
2. It aims to provide safe accommodation for women being trained for
employment and girl students studying in post-school professional
courses.
Beneficiaries: The target beneficiaries are single working women, widows,
divorcee, separated women and girl students who are engaged in post-school
professional courses. The trainees are given permission to stay in the hostel for a
period upto one year and girl students for a period upto five years, but with the
condition that first preference would be given to working women. It is also
stipulated in the scheme guidelines that the category of women who are being
trained for employment and girl students should not exceed 30 percent of the total
338
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2006-07,
Chapter 9, “Central Social Welfare Board”, p.147.
272
number of women in a hostel339
. This scheme has made provision of 15 percent
seats for SC women and 7.5 percent seats for ST women340
.
Progress of the Scheme: The scheme Hostels for Working Women promotes
greater mobility for women in the employment market through provision of
cheap and safe accommodation for women in lower income groups. From 1973 to
February 2002, 873 hostels were sanctioned to provide accommodation to 60,865
working women341
. During 2003-04, thirteen new hostels were sanctioned and an
amount of Rs.5.16 crore was sanctioned benefitting 1,188 women342
. The Annual
Report 2004-05 provides information that an amount of Rs.4.82 crore was
sanctioned and 6 new hostels were approved in principle benefitting 644 women
and 30 children343
. Under this scheme 5 new proposals with a total approved cost
of Rs.2,71,32,186/- and total capacity of 343 women were approved in 2005-
06344
. As on 31-01-2008, two new hostels, with a capacity to accommodate 208
women, were constructed and total amount of Rs.1.32 crore was released.
Present Status: As more and more women are entering in the labour market,
there is more demand for hostels. Therefore, The Parliamentary Committee on
Empowerment of Women examined the subject “Hostel Accommodation of
Working Women” during 2005-06345
. The scheme is revamped taking into
account the suggestions that are made by the Committee346
. The Table No.8.10
contains data related to the scheme of Hostels for Working Women for the period
1996-2007.
339
Government of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India 2009, A Reference
Annual, Fifty Third Edition, New Delhi, 2009. 340
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2006-07,
Chapter 4, “Other Programmes”, p.81. 341
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Economic Survey 2001-02, Chapter on “Social
Sectors”. 342
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2003-04, Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.14. 343
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2004-05, Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.28. 344
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2005-06, Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.32. 345
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2007-08,
Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.28. 346
Evaluation of Working Women‟s Hostel Sanctioned under the scheme of Assistance for the
Construction/Expansion of Hostel Building for Working Women with a Day Care Centre for
Children, accessed on 14th
October 2010(www.wcd.nic.in/schemes/).
273
Table No. 8.10: Hostels for Working Women
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 7.75 ... 7.75
1997-98 7.75 … 7.75
1998-99 7.73 … 7.73
1999-00 7.75 … 7.75
2000-01 7.02 … 7.02
2001-02 9.00 … 9.00
2002-03 13.50 … 13.50
2003-04 9.00 … 9.00
2004-05 9.00 … 9.00
2005-06 6.00 … 6.00
2006-07 4.50 … 4.50
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
The total allocation during the year 1996-97 and 1997-98 was Rs.7.75
crore. The total outlay marginally declined to Rs.7.73 crore during 1998-99 but it
increased to Rs.7.75 crore during 1999-2000. In the next year 2000-01, it slightly
declined to Rs.7.02 crore and increased to Rs.9.00 crore in 2001-02 and further to
Rs.13.50 crore in 2002-03. The budgetary allocation declined to Rs.9.00 crore in
2003-04 and remained same for the next fiscal year 2004-05. It declined to
Rs.6.00 crore in 2005-06 and again to Rs.4.50 crore in 2006-07. The percentage
change during 1996-2007 is -41.93. The following Graph Nos.8.7 and 8.8 explain
the data contained in the above Table No.8.10.
274
Graph No. 8.7: Hostels for Working Women
Graph No. 8.8: Hostels for Working Women
Evaluation on Hostels for Working Women: The Research Project entitled
“Evaluation of Working Women‟s Hostels in the states of Andhra Pradesh,
Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra” studied the functioning of the
Working Women‟s Hostel (WWH) in order to evaluate their performance347
. In
respect of working women, 2,510 working women were selected under the
347
Walokar D.M., Evaluation of Working Women’s Hostels in the States of Andhra Pradesh,
Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, Tirpude College of Social Work, Nagpur,
2001-2002.
275
sampling frame. It constituted 810 working women out of 121 Working Women
Hostels in Maharashtra, 680 working women out of 42 Working Women Hostels
in Andhra Pradesh, 450 working women out of 65 Working Women Hostels in
Madhya Pradesh and 570 working women out of 26 Working Women Hostels in
Gujarat who were selected for interview for the research work.
It was observed that sufficient area of land was made available by the
hostel management for the hostel and on an average the total built up area of
Hostel was 1912.50 Square Meters in all four states covered by the study. It was
found that in a large majority (more than 90 percent) of cases „clean drinking
water‟, „bathroom and toilets‟, „kitchen‟ and „office room‟ facilities were
available in the hostel. In more than 80 percent cases „visitors room‟, „mess‟,
„dining room‟, „store room‟, „guest room‟, „common room‟ and „warden
quarters‟, facilities were available. In more than 50 percent cases the „common
lounge‟ and „play ground‟ facilities were available. In about 72 percent of the
cases day care centre facility was not available, in about 50 percent cases „play
ground‟ facilities and in about 40 percent cases „common lounge‟ facilities was
not available in WWHs. In more than 10 percent of the hostels „warden‟s
quarter‟, „common room‟, „guest room‟, „dining room‟, „store room‟, „mess‟,
„visitors room‟, facilities were not available in the hostels. Regarding medical
facility, the hostel managements stated that there is a provision of visiting doctor,
and further referral services are provided through government and private
hospitals. In majority (71%) of the hostels do not have Day Care Centre facility
for the children of working women.
8.4.10: Support to Training and Employment Programme (STEP): This
scheme was launched as a central sector scheme in 1987. The scheme endeavours
to make a significant impact on women in traditional sectors by upgrading their
skills and providing employment to such women on a project basis by mobilizing
women in viable groups, improving skills, arranging for productive assets,
creating backward and forward linkages, providing access to credit, etc. The
STEP advocates an integrated package of inputs aiming at the integrated
development of poor women in traditional sectors. The scheme is being
implemented through Public Sector Organisations, State Corporations, District
276
Rural Development Agency (DRDAs), Cooperatives, Federations and registered
voluntary organisations which have been in existence for a minimum period of
three years. The scheme covers traditional sectors of employment such as
agriculture, animal husbandry, dairying, fisheries, handlooms, handicrafts, khadi
and village industries and sericulture. The project costs are shared by government
and implementing agencies, that is, under this scheme 90 percent costs are borne
by the Union Government and 10 percent by the implementing agencies348
.
Objectives: The following are the main objectives of STEP:
1. To provide training for skill upgradation.
2. To mobilise women in small viable groups and making facilities available
through training and access to credit.
3. To provide support services for further improving training and
employment conditions of women.
4. To provide for training not only for skill up-gradation which enables
women to earn better, but also for managerial, entrepreneurial and
marketing skills which enable them to establish newer units with better
linkages, both forward and backward349
.
Services: The scheme aims at providing an integrated package of the following
services for women to enable them economically more viable, independent and
raise their socio-economic status. The different services are:
1. Up-gradation of skills through training.
2. Better and sustainable employment opportunities.
3. Facilitation of organisation of women.
4. Support services with the coverage of Health Checkups, Referral services,
Mobile Creches‟ and Education facilities.
348
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2003-04, Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.11. 349
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2003-04, Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.11.
277
Beneficiaries: These include marginalised, assetless, rural women and urban
poor with special focus on SC/ST households, women headed households and
BPL families.
Impact: It has made a significant impact on women in traditional sectors by
upgrading skills and providing employment on project basis by mobilizing them
into viable groups, arranging for marketing linkages, support services and access
to credit.
Progress of the Scheme: According to Economic Survey 1997-98, STEP has
benefitted to about 2.58 lakh women by January 1997. A budget provision of
Rs.16 crore was made for STEP in 1997-98(RE). During the year 2001-02, 29
projects were sanctioned to benefit 87,140 women and an amount of Rs.18.57
crore was sanctioned350
. Since the inception of STEP in 1987, it has implemented
134 projects, benefitting more than 6 lakh women in the country. Of the total
projects implemented about 60 percent were in dairy sector. Around 10,000
women‟s dairy cooperatives were organised in the country. Thirty one new
projects were sanctioned in the year 2001-02, at total cost of Rs.15.56 crore to
benefit 6,600 women in three states351
. In 2003-04 eleven projects were
sanctioned, estimated to benefit 16,350 women and the total amount sanctioned
was Rs.202 crore. During the year 2004-05, 9 projects were sanctioned to benefit
15,900 women352
. In the consequent year 2005-06, 8 projects were sanctioned to
benefit 34,575 women and an amount of Rs.1717.919 lakh was released. In the
year 2006-07, an amount of Rs.1101.497 lakh was released for the 12 new
projects sanctioned benefitting 15,695 women353
.
Table No.8.11 contains data of budgetary outlay pertaining to Support to
Training and Employment Programme between 1996 and 2007.
350
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2002-03, Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.83. 351
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Economic Survey 2002-03, Chapter on “Social
Sectors”. 352
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2005-06, Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.31. 353
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2006-07,
Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.24.
278
Table No. 8.11: Support to Training and Employment Programme
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 16.00 … 16.00
1997-98 16.00 … 16.00
1998-99 16.00 … 16.00
1999-00 15.00 … 15.00
2000-01 13.00 … 13.00
2001-02 18.00 … 18.00
2002-03 23.00 … 23.00
2003-04 22.50 … 22.50
2004-05 22.50 … 22.50
2005-06 13.50 … 13.50
2006-07 13.50 … 13.50
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
An allotment of Rs.16.00 crore was provided for the following years
1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99. The total budgetary provision, however,
decreased to Rs.15.00 crore in 1999-00 and further to Rs.13.00 crore in 2000-01.
It increased to Rs.18.00 crore in 2001-02. For the year 2002-03, Rs.23.00 crore
was allocated which declined to Rs.22.50 crore in 2003-04 and remained same
for the next year 2004-05. It is clear from the Table No.8.11 that the budgetary
allocation was Rs.13.50 crore for the next two fiscal years 2005-06 and 2006-07.
It can be noted that the percentage change during 1996-2007 was -15.62. The
following Graphs 8.9 and 8.10 depict the data contained in Table No.8.11.
279
Graph No. 8.9: Support to Training and Employment Programme
Graph No. 8.10: Support to Training and Employment Programme
280
Evaluation Study on STEP: A study entitled “Pilot Study on Impact Evaluation
of STEP in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Orissa was
carried out in 2004”354
. This study focused on understanding the incremental
incomes of the beneficiaries, sustainability of activities during post programme
phase, entrepreneurial competencies of the beneficiaries, control units,
implementing agencies, trainers, support providers and end users. In all, 4789
beneficiaries and 753 control units, spread over 380 villages across 81 districts in
the five states were conducted. The results revealed that 27 projects were
approved under STEP with an aggregate outlay of Rs.890.1 million, and project
inputs aimed at developing vocational skills of the beneficiaries.
It was observed that 66.8 percent beneficiaries were either landless or
owned not more than two acres of agricultural land. Dairying was the single
largest income generating activity pursued by beneficiaries. Selection of the
income generating activities was based predominantly on the implementing
agencies‟ experience and convenience. Infrastructure available for training was
rated „very good‟. The trainer base for vocational skill development of all
implementing agencies was regarded „good‟. Training inputs in terms of coverage
and quality varied widely between implementing agencies.
STEP made a definite impact on the socio-economic empowerment of
poor women in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Orissa. The
vocational base skills of the beneficiaries across the activities improved
considerably. Women‟s Development Cooperatives contribute close to 30 percent
of the milk procurement by implementing agencies in Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Maharashtra and Orissa. The programme sustained the livelihoods of
0.169 million poor women in rural areas. Incremental incomes upto Rs.1,000 per
month was earned by 76.9 percent assisted beneficiaries. Lifestyles of the
beneficiaries improved, 38.4 percent beneficiaries felt that the programme has
had a positive impact on their children‟s education and 42.6 percent of the
beneficiaries felt that the programme had made them health conscious. The study
354
This study was conducted by Andhra Pradesh Industrial and Technical Consultancy
Organisation, Hyderabad, 2004. It was commissioned by DWCD (Research Abstracts on
Women‟s Empowerment, 1998-2008, Documentation Centre for Women and Children, New
Delhi, 2009, pp.58-59).
281
recommended that implementing agencies should be exposed to the techniques of
systematic selection of income generating activities.
8.4.11: Mahila Samridhi Yojana (MSY): Mahila Samridhi Yojana was started
on October 2, 1993. It is a central sector plan scheme implemented through the
network of post offices in rural areas. It is one of the innovative schemes for the
economic betterment of women.
Objectives: The scheme aims:
1. To provide economic security to the rural women; and
2. To promote and encourage, the saving habit among rural women and to
empower them to control over their household assets.
It covers wide base of 70 percent of total women population living in
villages. The scheme encourages rural women by providing direct cash incentives
to supplement their individual savings. Under this plan, every rural adult woman
can open their saving account in the rural post office of their own area with a
minimum of Rs.4/- or its multiplier. For an amount of up to Rs.300/- in a year
with a one year lock-in-period, government contributes 25 percent.
Present Status: A total of about 200 lakh MSY accounts were opened and total
deposits were over Rs.200 crore355
. The scheme is now merged with Indira
Mahila Yojana. Indira Mahila Yojana is retitled as Swayamsiddha in 2001356
.
Table No.8.12 sheds light on budgetary provision to Mahila Samriddhi
Yojana from 1996-97 to 2006-07.
355
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Economic Survey 1996-97, Chapter on “Social
Sectors”. 356
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Economic Survey 2001-02, Chapter on “Social
Sectors”.
282
Table No. 8.12: Mahila Samriddhi Yojana*
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 60.00 … 60.00
1997-98 40.00 … 40.00
1998-99 40.00 … 40.00
1999-00 2.04 … 2.04
2000-01 15.00 … 15.00
2001-02 8.00 … 8.00
2002-03 … … …
2003-04 NA NA NA
2004-05 NA NA NA
2005-06 NA NA NA
2006-07 NA NA NA
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
*The Scheme Mahila Samridhi Yojana has been discontinued,
hence no budget provision is made in 2002-03.
During the year 1996-97, an amount of Rs.60.00 crore was sanctioned as
total budgetary allocation. In 1997-98 and 1998-99, the provision for total
budgetary outlay declined to Rs.40.00 crore. It further declined to Rs.2.04 crore
in 1999-00 and increased to Rs.15.00 crore in 2000-01 and declined to Rs.8.00
crore in 2001-02. The scheme was discontinued, therefore, no budgetary
provision was proposed during 2002-03 and thereafter357
. It can be noticed that
the overall change in terms of percentage from 1996-97 to 2001-02 is -86.67.
8.4.12: Socio-Economic Programme: In 1956, the CSWB launched the socio-
economic programme to promote women‟s economic activities. This programme
was gradually extended to Mahila Mandals in the form of production units of
handicrafts, dairy, poultry, sheep breeding and allied activities to expand
women‟s employment. This programme extends the financial assistance to
voluntary institutions to take up a wide variety of income generating activities
357
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budget 2002-03, Expenditure Budget,
Volume II, Notes on Demands for Grants, p.118.
283
like small industry, handloom, handicraft, dairy, animal husbandry, etc., on a
„work and wage basis‟.
Objectives: The broad objectives of Socio-Economic Programme are:
1. To provide opportunities of full time or part time work to needy women,
destitute, widows and deserted women.
2. To encourage entrepreneurs to exhibit and sell their products through
Exhibition-cum sale organised by State Boards at District level.
Beneficiaries: The beneficiaries constitute destitute women, widows, deserted
and physically handicapped women. The Central Social Welfare Board has three
types of schemes of assistance under this programme358
:
1. Agro-based Units: The Board assists voluntary organisations for setting
up agro-based units like poultry, piggery, goatery, etc., for poor and needy
women.Production Units: The voluntary organisations are encouraged to
set up production units, which can provide employment to women on full
time or part time basis.
2. Self-employment Schemes: These include the support for vegetable
vending, fish vending, supply of sewing machines, etc., to provide self
employment to women.
Present Status: The Socio-economic Programme is dropped under Zero Based
Budgeting exercise359
. Since, the programme is phased out, no budgetary
provision is made for the scheme during the year 2002-03 and thereafter. The
following Table No.8.13 provides information about the budgetary allocation of
Socio-Economic Programme for the period 1996-2007.
358
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2002-03, Chapter 13, “Central Social Welfare Board”, p.168. 359
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budget 2002-03, Expenditure Budget,
Volume II, Notes on Demands for Grants, p.118.
284
Table No. 8.13: Socio-Economic Programmes*
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 6.00 … 6.00
1997-98 15.99 … 15.99
1998-99 9.00 … 9.00
1999-00 5.00 … 5.00
2000-01 1.00 … 1.00
2001-02 1.00 … 1.00
2002-03 … … …
2003-04 NA NA NA
2004-05 NA NA NA
2005-06 NA NA NA
2006-07 NA NA NA
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
*This Scheme has been dropped under the Zero Based Budgeting
exercise in 2002-03.
A total provision of Rs.6.00 crore was made in budget of 1996-97; it
increased to Rs.15.99 crore in 1997-98. The total amount of money allocated
declined to Rs.9.00 crore and to Rs.5.00 crore during 1998-99 and 1999-2000
respectively. During the year, 2000-01 and 2001-02, the amount of money
allocated remained constant, that is, at Rs.1.00 crore. The Socio-Economic
Programme was dropped under the Zero Based Budgeting exercise during
2002-03, therefore, no budgetary provision was made during 2002-03 and
thereafter360
. The change in budgetary provision in terms of percentage from
1996-97 to 2001-02 is -83.34.
8.4.13: Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB): The Board was set up on 13th
August 1953. CSWB is an initiative of Pt.Jawaharlal Nehru. It is an autonomous
organisation under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. It is an apex
body at the national level for the welfare and development of women and
children.
360
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budget 2002-03, Expenditure Budget,
Volume II, Notes on Demands for Grants, p.118.
285
The Central Social Welfare Board came into existence in an era when
welfare services for the disadvantaged sections of society were not systematised
and the welfare infrastructure was not yet a formally constructed. Voluntary
effort in the field of welfare in India during the early fifties was largely an
amorphous and individualistic attempt to provide proper measures in areas where
extreme marginalization was taking place. In such a perspective the first aim of
the Board was to promote voluntarism and the setting up of voluntary
organisations. Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh was the founder Chairperson of the
Board. The State Social Welfare Boards were established in 1954 in all State
Capitals to help CSWB in achieving its objectives.
Objectives: The Board is set up with the following vital objectives361
: It must,
1. Act as a change maker with a humanitarian approach by reinforcing the
spirit of voluntarism.
2. Create an enabling mechanism to facilitate networking of committed
social workers for the empowerment of women and children.
3. Develop a cadre of sensitive professionals with a gender centric vision
committed to equity, justice and social change.
4. Recommend gender specific policy initiatives to meet the new challenges
for women and children.
5. Strengthen voluntary organisations and expand coverage of „engendered‟
schemes in areas where they have not yet reached.
6. Initiate and strengthen its monitoring role to act as social audit and guide
for the voluntary sector so as to access government funds as resource.
7. 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.
361
Government of India, Central Social Welfare Board, accessed on 4th
March 2010
(www.cswb.gov.in).
286
The Board has several programmes and schemes within its ambit. All
these programmes are funded by the Department. The present schemes of the
Board include: Short Stay Home for Women and Girls, Family Counselling
Centres, Condensed Courses of Education for Women, Awareness Generation
Projects for Rural and Poor Women, Working Women‟s Hostels, etc. Some of
these programmes are already discussed in earlier paragraphs and others are
discussed in the following pargraphs.
8.4.14: Training–cum Production Centres: The Department of Women and
Child Development under the Ministry of Human Resource Development,
Government of India, introduced this scheme in 1998-99. This scheme was
formerly known as Employment-cum-Income Generating and Training-cum-
Production Units (Women‟s Economic Programme) and is changed to
Swawlamban362
. The scheme is partially funded by Norwegian Agency for
International Development Cooperation (NORAD), Norway.
Objectives: This scheme has following objectives:
1. Providing skill upgradation training for such underprivileged women to
take up income generating activities.
2. Training of women belonging to weaker sections in the traditional and
non-traditional trades and then employing them on sustained basis.
3. Financial assistance to public sector undertakings, corporations,
autonomous bodies, voluntary organisations to train women in
non-traditional sectors like electronics, electrical watch manufacturing,
computer programming, printing and binding, garment making, tourism,
bakeries and confectioneries, etc.
Beneficiaries: This scheme is targeted at the poor and needy women in urban and
rural areas including migrant labourers, women from weaker sections such as SC
and ST, families headed by women and BPL women. The State Women
Development Corporations (WDCs) are the nodal agencies for the
362
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budget 2003-04, Expenditure Budget,
Volume II, Notes on Demands for Grants, p.132.
287
implementation of the scheme mostly through the voluntary organisations of the
state. Financial assistance is provided to Women Development Corporations/
Public Sector Corporations/autonomous bodies and registered voluntary
organisations. Wherever the State Women Development Corporations do not
exist, the scheme is implemented through the State Social Welfare Advisory
Board.
Components: This programme provides training in trades like computer
programming, medical transcription, electronics, watch assembling, radio and
television repairs, garment making, handloom weaving, community health work,
embroidery, etc. For hiring training-cum-production sheds, financial assistance is
given to the grantee organisations. The upper ceiling for assistance under this
scheme is confined to Rs.8,000 per beneficiary363
. The scheme was transferred to
the states w.e.f. from 1/4/2006.
Progress of the Scheme: A sum of Rs.10 crore was made during 1996-97 under
the scheme of training cum production centres for destitute women364
. A total
amount of Rs.17 crore was made available under the scheme of training-cum-
production centres for destitute women during 1997-98365
. According to
Economic Survey 1998-99, 178 projects were sanctioned to benefit 36,095
women. During 2002-03, 902 projects were sanctioned, 58,458 women received
benefits366
.
Present Status: The name of the scheme „Training-cum-Production Centre‟ was
changed to „Swawlamban‟367
. The budgetary allocation remained same for the
year 2004-05 as in 2003-04 because the matter to transfer the scheme to the states
was under consideration. The „Swawlamban‟ scheme was transferred to states
363
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2002-03, Chapter 6, “Programmes for Women”, p.84. 364
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Economic Survey 1996-97, Chapter on “Social
Sectors”. 365
Government of India, Ministry of Finance , Economic Survey 1997-98, Chapter on “Social
Sectors”. 366
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2002-03, Chapter 6, “Programmes for Women”, p.85. 367
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budget 2003-04, Expenditure Budget,
Volume II, Notes on Demands for Grants, p.132.
288
from April 1, 2006 as per the decision taken by Planning Commission368
. To
maintain continuity of implementation, the states are requested to make
budgetary provision in their Annual Budgets for the „Swawlamban‟ scheme. The
details regarding the budgetary allocation of the scheme Training-cum-
Production Units is shown in the below Table No.8.14.
Table No. 8.14: Training-cum-Production Centres*
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 8.00 … 8.00
1997-98 18.00 … 18.00
1998-99 18.00 … 18.00
1999-00 15.00 … 15.00
2000-01 13.00 … 13.00
2001-02 18.00 … 18.00
2002-03 22.00 … 22.00
2003-04 22.50 ... 22.50
2004-05 22.50 … 22.50
2005-06 14.00 … 14.00
2006-07 1.80 … 1.80
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
*The name of the scheme has been changed to Swawlamban.
An amount of Rs.8.00 crore was provided in the year 1996-97. The
budgetary provision increased to Rs.18.00 crore in 1997-98 and 1998-99 which
declined to Rs.15.00 crore and further to Rs.13.00 crore during the year 1999-00
and 2000-01 respectively. In 2001-02 an amount of Rs.18.00 crore was
sanctioned for this scheme. The budgetary allocation increased to Rs.22.00 crore
in 2002-03 and it remained at Rs.22.50 crore for the years 2003-04 and 2004-05.
It, however, decreased to Rs.14.00 crore in 2005-06 and to Rs.1.80 crore in
2006-07. The scheme „Swawlamban‟ is transferred to states, therefore only
368
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2006-07,
Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.25.
289
residual allocation for previously sanctioned projects was made in 2006-07369
.
The percentage change in total budgetary allocation between 1996-97 and
2006-07 was -77.5. This decline is not a worrying factor because the scheme is
transferred to the states.
Evaluation of Training-cum-Production Centre: Several evaluation studies
including independent studies commissioned by NORAD, reveal that nearly 50-
60 percent of the women trained under the programme have been able to get
employment or self-employment370
. From 1996-97 onwards, the assistance by
NORAD was supplemented with domestic resources. Government of India has
decided to discontinue receiving assistance from small bilateral donors including
Norway, in accordance with the new aid policy. The NORAD assistance,
therefore, now is not available371
. As many as 463 proposals benefitting 71,240
women were approved during 2003-04 at cost of Rs.20.22 crore372
. In 2004-05,
an amount of Rs.633.09 lakh was released and 195 new projects were approved
for the benefit of 24,560 women373
. Around 75 proposals, involving an amount of
Rs.112.06 lakh, benefitting 4,380 women was sanctioned during 2006-07374
.
8.4.15: Short Stay Homes (SSH): The scheme „Short Stay Homes‟ was
launched in the year 1969 to protect and rehabilitate those women and girls who
are facing social, economic and emotional problems due to family stress, social
ostracism, moral danger, etc375
. The programme was transferred to CSWB for
implementation with effect from April 1999.
369
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budget 2006-07, Expenditure Budget,
Volume II, Notes on Demands for Grants, p.136. 370
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2002-03, Chapter 6, “ Programmes for Women”, p.84. 371
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2003-04, Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.12. 372
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2003-04, Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.13. 373
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2004-05, Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.26. 374
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2006-07,
Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.25. 375
Government of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India 2009, A Reference
Annual, Fifty Third Edition, New Delhi, 2009, p.995.
290
Objectives: The major objectives of Short Stay Homes Scheme are:
1. To prevent trafficking of women and children through social mobilization
and involvement of local communities, awareness generation
programmes, generate public discourse through workshops/seminars and
such events and any other innovative activity.
2. To facilitate rescue of victims from the place of their exploitation and
place them in safe custody.
3. To provide rehabilitation services both immediate and long-term to the
victims by providing basic amenities such as shelter, food, clothing,
medical treatment including, counselling, legal aid and guidance and
vocational training.
4. To facilitate reintegration of the victims into the family and society at
large.
5. To facilitate repatriation of cross-border victims to their country of origin.
Implementing Agencies: The implementing agencies can be Social Welfare/
Women and Child Welfare Department of State Government, Women
Development Corporations, Women Development Centres, Urban Local Bodies,
Voluntary Organisations, etc.
Services: During their stay in SSH women are provided services like, medical
care, psychiatric treatment, casework services, occupational therapy, education,
vocational and recreational activities and social facilities of adjustments.
Progress of the Scheme: In the year 1997-98, there were approximately 330 old
and 15 new Short Stay Homes 376
. At the end of December 2002, an amount of
Rs.751.76 lakh was released to 289 Short Stay Homes, which also includes 39
new Short Stay Homes377
. During the year 2003-04, an amount of Rs.1507 lakh
376
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Union Budget 1996-97,
Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for Grants, p.126. 377
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2002-03, Chapter 13, “Central Social Welfare Board”, p.167.
291
was released for 341 Short Stay Homes378
. During the year 2004-05, assistance
was provided for the maintenance of 272 Short Stay Homes throughout the
country379
. Women who are victims of natural calamities need more care and
attention. Short Stay Homes are set up in the cyclone affected areas of Orissa,
Jammu and Kashmir in Kargil war affected areas, in earthquake affected areas of
Gujarat, in Tsunami affected areas of Tamil Nadu and Andaman and Nicobar
Islands380
. An amount of Rs.1649 lakh was released to 339 Short Stay Homes
and Rs.1750 lakh was allocated during the year 2006-07381
.
Present Status: This scheme launched in 1969, was earlier implemented by the
Department of Women and Child Development. The scheme was handed over to
CSWB with effect from April 1999. The power to sanction new Homes still vests
with the Department, the responsibility of supervision and monitoring of the
existing Homes are transferred to CSWB. The scheme of Short Stay Home is also
revised in June 1999 to make it more relevant and effective382
. The statistical
information pertaining to Short Stay Homes for the period 1996-2007 may be
found in Table No.8.15.
378
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2003-04, Chapter 7, “Central Social Welfare Board”, p.55. 379
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2004-05, Chapter 9, “Central Social Welfare Board”, p.167. 380
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2005-06, Chapter 9, “Central Social Welfare Board”, p.162. 381
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2006-07,
Chapter 9, “Central Social Welfare Board”, p.149. 382
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2001-02,
Chapter 14, “Central Social Welfare Board”, p.8.
292
Table No. 8.15: Short Stay Homes
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 2.75 2.07 4.82
1997-98 2.75 2.00 4.75
1998-99 10.00 2.00 12.00
1999-00 13.52 1.90 15.42
2000-01 12.00 2.51 14.51
2001-02 10.00 2.84 12.84
2002-03 13.50 2.84 16.34
2003-04 13.50 2.50 16.00
2004-05 13.50 1.50 15.00
2005-06 13.50 1.50 15.00
2006-07 14.40 1.50 15.90
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
It can be seen from Table No.8.15 that the total budgetary outlay was
Rs.4.82 crore in 1996-97, it marginally declined to Rs.4.75 crore in the year
1997-98. It stepped up to Rs.12 crore in 1998-99 and to Rs.15.42 crore in
1999-00. During the year 2000-01, the budgetary outlay declined to Rs.14.51
crore and to Rs.12.84 crore in 2001-02. The budgetary allocation increased to
Rs.16.34 crore in 2002-03 and continuously declined from 2003-04 to 2005-06. It
was Rs.16.00 crore in 2003-04, Rs.15 crore in 2004-05 and 2005-06 and it
slightly increased to Rs.15.90 crore in 2006-07. In terms of percentage the overall
increase in budgetary provision from 1996-97 to 2006-07 was 229.8.
Evaluation of Short Stay Homes: The study “Status Appraisal of Short Stay
Homes (SSHs) in Uttar Pradesh” was carried out in 2007383
. This study covered 8
SSHs, that is, 25 percent of the total 30 SSHs functioning in UP, situated at
Lakhimpur Kheri, Raebareli, Kanpur, Pratapgarh, Mirzapur, Allahabad, Deoria
and Saharanpur. SSHs were implementing programmes like women helpline,
family counselling centre, creches, SHGs, vocational training, income generation
383
This study was conducted by NIPCCD, Regional Centre, Lucknow, Central Social Welfare
Board, State Social Welfare Board(UP) and Social Welfare Department of Government, UP,
2009 (Research Abstracts on Women‟s Empowerment, 1998-2008, Documentation Centre for
Women and Children, NIPCCD, New Delhi, 2009, pp. 87-88).
293
activities, medical care and other programmes in the areas of health, education,
agriculture and welfare. The inmates residing in SSHs were victims of marital
disputes and family discord (50.55%), victims of harassment and facing moral
danger (34.26%), destitute women (10.66%), victims of trafficking (2.25%) and
2.24 percent women who ran away from home. Unmarried inmates constituted
63.48 percent and only 36.5 percent were married. It was found that 11.23
percent were illiterate, 65.73 percent were educated upto 8th
standard, 15.16
percent were matriculate, 5.61 percent were intermediate and 2.24 percent
women were graduates.
8.4.16: Awareness Generation Programme: The Central Social Welfare Board
is implementing this programme to create awareness in the community on issues
relating to status, rights and problems of women. This programme was introduced
by Central Social Welfare Board in the year 1986-87384
. It is inculcating a spirit
of organised activity among rural women for identifying their needs/problems
and for chalking out plans of action to face various challenges. It enables women
to actively participate in decision making both at family and community level and
to deal issues including atrocities on women and children.
Objectives: The Awareness Generation Programme focuses on the following
objectives385
:
1. To identify the needs of rural and poor women; and
2. To increase their active participation in decision-making, both in the
family and community, on development issues including atrocities on
women and children.
Components of the Scheme: The components of the Scheme are:
1. Survey of the Area: The voluntary organisations shall survey the area
where they want to organise awareness camp and prepare target group.
384
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2003-04, Chapter 7, “Central Social Welfare Board”, p.51. 385
Government of India, Central Social Welfare Board, Schemes of Assistance, accessed on 5th
November 2009 (www.cswb.gov.in).
294
2. Training of Organiser: The training of the organiser is one of the
conditions under the scheme that will be imparted by the identified
training institute to be determined by the Board.
3. Organising of Camps: Duration of camp of eight days will be organised.
An amount of Rs.1000/- is paid per camp.
4. Follow-up Action: Follow-up action will be taken by the grantee
organisation within six months after completing the camp so as to assess
the impact of the camp in the area.
5. Beneficiaries: In this programme there are around 20-25 women
beneficiaries in each group.
Coverage: Issues such as status of women, women and law, evils of female
foeticide, community health and hygiene, technology for women, environment
and economy are taken up in the Awareness Generation Camps386
.
Progress of the Scheme: During the year 2000-01 more emphasis was laid to
cover the tribal and remote villages and budgetary allocation of Rs.4.00 lakh was
made during this year. Till December 2001, around 1455 awareness generation
camps were organised, which were attended by 36,375 women387
. An amount of
Rs.162.76 lakh was sanctioned and Rs.140.01 lakh was released and 1490
awareness generation camps were sanctioned to 769 institutions benefitting
37,225 women. The voluntary organisations under this programme are provided a
grant of Rs.10,000 for five to eight day camps including two days follow up
programme388
. During the year 2003-04, 6602 camps were sanctioned for which
an amount of Rs.499.94 lakh was released389
and in the year 2004-05, 335 camps
were sanctioned for which an amount of Rs.143.98 lakh was released390
. An
386
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2003-04, Chapter 7, “Central Social Welfare Board”, pp.51-52. 387
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2001-02, Chapter 14, “Central Social Welfare Board”, p.3. 388
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2002-03, Chapter 13,“Central Social Welfare Board”, p.169. 389
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2003-04, Chapter 7, “Central Social Welfare Board”, p.52. 390
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2004-05, Chapter 9, “Central Social Welfare Board”, p.163.
295
amount of Rs.67.76 lakh was released in 2005-06 (upto 31-10-2005) to support
for organising 5070 camps benefitting 125.00 lakh women391
. During the year
2006-07, 1429 awareness generation camps were sanctioned for which an amount
of Rs.307.18 lakh was released involving participation of 1,03,220 women392
.
The below Table No.8.16 contains data on budgetary outlay for Awareness
Generation Programme during 1996-2007.
Table No. 8.16: Awareness Generation Programme
(Rupees in Crore)
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
A total amount of Rs.2.25 crore was sanctioned during 1996-97, 1997-98
and 1998-99. In 1999-00, the budgetary provision was enhanced to Rs.4.00 crore,
which decreased to Rs.1.80 crore in 2000-01. During the year 2001-02, a total
outlay of Rs.4.00 crore was made and it declined to Rs.3.80 crore in 2002-03.
The budgetary provision remained at Rs.4.50 crore for the next three years,
2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 respectively. In 2006-07, it slightly increased to
Rs.5.00 crore. The percentage change in budgetary provision was 122.23.
391
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2005-06, Chapter 9, “Central Social Welfare Board”, pp.159-160. 392
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2007-08,
Chapter 9, “Central Social Welfare Board”, p.162.
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 2.25 … 2.25
1997-98 2.25 … 2.25
1998-99 2.25 … 2.25
1999-00 4.00 … 4.00
2000-01 1.80 … 1.80
2001-02 4.00 … 4.00
2002-03 3.80 … 3.80
2003-04 4.50 … 4.50
2004-05 4.50 … 4.50
2005-06 4.50 … 4.50
2006-07 5.00 … 5.00
296
Evaluation on Awareness Generation Programme: A project “Impact
Assessment of Awareness Generation Project: A Comprehensive Project” was
carried out in 2006393
. The objectives of the present study are to assess the
activities of AGP and its impact on beneficiaries. Data was collected from five
states namely Uttar Pradesh (UP), Tamil Nadu (TN), Delhi, Gujarat and West
Bengal (WB), through interviews of 804 women beneficiaries who attended the
camps, 119 chief functionaries of voluntary organisations and 110 organisers.
It was found that nearly 50 percent of all voluntary organisations were
new and they had been first time recipients of grants. The amount given for
training participants was not sufficient for quality training. The areas most liked
by trainees related to women‟s status, family conflict and income generation, but
they did not like talks on HIV/AIDS and STDs. Most of the respondents pointed
out that major problems of women were violence against them, alcoholic
husbands, illiteracy, general and reproductive health issues, lack of infrastructural
facilities. In AGP camps, lecture method was commonly used to teach which
created boredom. Most women felt that AGP camps were appropriate, but they
criticised the duration of camps as lengthy and tedious.
Awareness level of participants on domestic violence, female foeticide,
dowry, reproductive and child health issues increased. Majority of women
wanted training on income generation activities to raise their financial status. The
study showed that AGP scheme suffered due to non-availability of support
services, absence of a network at district and local level, shortage of funds, time
lag in organising camps and lack of proper planning for sustained action.
8.4.17: National Commission for Women: The National Commission for
Women is a statutory body set up in January 1992 under the National
Commission for Women Act, 1990394
. The main task of the Commission is to
study and monitor all matters relating to the constitutional and legal safeguards
provided for women and to review the existing legislations and suggest
393
This was conducted by Vidyasagar School of Social Work, Kolkata, 2006. (Research Abstracts
on Women‟s Empowerment, 1998-2008, Documentation Centre for Women and Children,
NIPCCD, New Delhi, 2009, pp.6-7). 394
National Commission for Women, Home Page, accessed on 1st October 2010
(www.ncw.nic.in).
297
amendments, where necessary. The Commission is in the forefront of the national
endeavour to improve the status of women and for their empowerment. The
Commission consists of a chairperson, five members and a member-secretary
nominated by the central government.
Functions: The Commission shall perform all or any of the following functions,
namely:
a) Investigate and examine all matters relating to the safeguards provided for
women under the Constitution and other laws;
b) Present to the central government, annually and at such other times as the
Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards;
c) Make in such reports, recommendations for the effective implementation
of those safeguards for improving the conditions of women by the Union
or any State;
d) Take up the cases of violation of the provisions of the Constitution and of
other laws relating to women with the appropriate authorities;
e) Look into complaints and take suo moto notice of matters relating to:
i) Deprivation of women‟s rights;
ii) Non-implementation of laws enacted to provide protection to women
and also to achieve the objective of equality and development;
iii) Non-compliance of policy decisions, guidelines or instructions aimed
at mitigating hardships and ensuring welfare and providing relief to
women, and take up the issues arising out of such matters with authorities;
f) Participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic
development of women;
g) Evaluate the progress of the development of women under the Union and
any State;
h) Fund litigation involving issues affecting a large body of women;
298
i) Any other matter which may be referred to it by Central Government.
Strategies: The strategies of the National Commission for Women are:
1. Economic Empowerment: It promotes women‟s economic
empowerment through building up skills and securing access to gainful
employment.
2. Political Empowerment: It helps for the political empowerment through
awareness, training and mobilisation for equitable representation in all
forms, prevention of violence and discrimination against women, both
inside and outside the home, through legal reforms and sensitive
enforcement.
3. Amelioration of Conditions of Disadvantaged Women: This includes
help to physically challenged women including those who are visually
disabled or mentally affected and socially challenged women including
SC/ST women, widows and prostitutes.
The NCW is empowered to monitor the proper implementation of all the
legislations made to protect the rights of women to enable them to achieve
equality in all spheres of life and equal participation in the development of the
nation. For the empowerment of women, it has initiated several steps. It receives
large number of complaints and acts suo moto in several cases to provide speedy
justice, sponsors legal awareness programmes, Parivarak Mahila Lok Adalats and
organises workshops, consultations, etc.
The details of budgetary allocation of National Commission for Women
can be found in Table No.8.17.
299
Table No. 8.17: National Commission for Women
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 2.00 … 2.00
1997-98 2.00 … 2.00
1998-99 2.50 … 2.50
1999-00 3.50 … 3.50
2000-01 3.50 … 3.50
2001-02 5.00 … 5.00
2002-03 5.40 … 5.40
2003-04 4.05 1.46 5.51
2004-05 5.40 1.60 7.00
2005-06 3.60 2.17 5.77
2006-07 3.60 2.45 6.05
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
During 1996-97 and 1997-98 a total outlay of Rs.2.00 crore was provided.
In 1998-99 the budgetary provision slightly increased to Rs.2.50 crore. It again
enhanced to Rs.3.50 crore in 1999-00 and remained unchanged in 2000-01. In
2001-02 the budgetary provision was Rs.5.00 crore, which continuously
increased to Rs.5.40 crore in 2002-03, to Rs.5.51 crore in 2003-04 and to Rs.7.00
crore in 2004-05. The total budgetary outlay declined to Rs.5.77 crore in 2005-06
and it increased to Rs.6.05 crore in the year 2006-07. It can be noted that the
overall increase in terms of percentage was 202.5.
8.4.18: Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK): RMK is also known as National Credit
Fund for Women. It is the most outstanding micro-finance apex organisation
providing micro-finance service to women in India. RMK is an innovative
scheme which was initiated in March 1993 to facilitate credit support/micro-
financing to poor and asset-less women, struggling in the informal sector. RMK
works through the medium of NGOs as its channelising agencies for
identification of borrowers, delivery of credit support and also recovery.
300
RMK is an independent registered society of the Department of Women
and Child Development with an initial corpus of Rs.31 crore395
. It gets its support
through non-governmental organisations, women development corporations,
women cooperative societies in which 1/3rd
of its members are women396
, Indira
Mahila Block Samities under the Indira Mahila Yojana and suitable state
government agencies. This new venture does not replace the banking sector but it
helps to fill the gap between what the banking sector offers and what the poor
need.
Objectives: The Rashtriya Mahila Kosh is set up with the following specific
objectives. They are:
1. To provide the micro-credit facilities to poor women for income
generation activities or for asset creation.
2. To demonstrate and replicate participatory approaches in the organisation
of women‟s groups for thrift and savings and effective utilisation of
credit.
3. To cooperate and to secure cooperation of the Government of India, state
governments, union territory administrations, credit institutions, NGOs
and others in promoting the objective of the Kosh.
4. To disseminate information and experience among all these above
agencies in the government and non-government sectors in the area of
micro finance for poor women.
5. To receive grants, donations, loans, etc., for the furtherance of the aims
and objectives of the kosh.
Beneficiaries: It is working exclusively for poor women and the loans are
entirely available to this target group.
395
Government of India, Rashtriya Mahila Kosh, accessed on 28th
September 2010
(www.rmk.nic.in). 396
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2004-05, Chapter 11, “Rashtriya Mahila Kosh”, p.182.
301
Activities under RMK: The activities under RMK‟s programme are the income
generating activities, production activities, part of the loan could be utilised
toward consumption activities, house construction activities, education and skill
up-gradation and purchase of land, redemption and land leasing.
Progress: From the date of its inception on 30th
March 1993 to December 2002,
the achievements of RMK are397
:
1. Credit of Rs.118 crore has been sanctioned.
2. Under RMK 4,45,535 women have received benefits under various
schemes.
3. Alliance is made with 1,066 NGO‟s throughout the country.
4. Under various schemes of RMK, Rs.89 crore is disbursed.
5. As on 31st December 2007, RMK had sanctioned loans of Rs.229.40 crore
benefitting 5,95,937 women398
.
The following Table No.8.18 contains data on budgetary allocation to
Rashtriya Mahila Kosh between 1996 and 2007.
397
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2002-03, Chapter 15, “Rashtriya Mahila Kosh”, p.188. 398
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2007-08,
Chapter 11, “Rashtriya Mahila Kosh”, p.195.
302
Table No. 8.18: Rashtriya Mahila Kosh
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 NA NA NA
1997-98 NA NA NA
1998-99 NA NA NA
1999-00 0.01 … 0.01
2000-01 3.00 … 3.00
2001-02 1.00 … 1.00
2002-03 1.00 … 1.00
2003-04 1.00 … 1.00
2004-05 1.00 … 1.00
2005-06 0.01 … 0.01
2006-07 10.00 … 10.00
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
From 1996 to 1999 no data is available. A sum of Rs.0.01 crore was kept
during the year 1999-00 which increased to Rs.3.00 crore in 2000-01, and
declined to Rs.1.00 crore in 2001-02. For the consecutive years 2002-03, 2003-04
and 2004-05, there is no change in the budgetary provision, that is, it remained at
Rs.1.00 crore. It was Rs.0.01 crore in 2005-06 which stepped up to Rs.10.00
crore in 2006-07.
Evaluation on RMK: After the formation of RMK, seven micro-credit studies
were conducted to evaluate the experiences of borrowers of RMK loan. The
findings helped RMK to redesign their policies, procedures and loan products to
suit its borrowers. Again, in March 2000, DWCD sponsored an All India study
on RMK credit and its impact on the economic and social status of its
borrowers399
.
The profile of RMK shows that Other Backward Castes form a substantial
proportion of borrowers as compared to Scheduled Tribes. A vast majority of the
borrowers were Hindus (80.7%). Fifty five percent of the borrowers were
399
CARE India, Microfinance and Women’s Empowerment: Programme and Policy Review,
Policy and Advocacy, Review of Four Programmes with Micro-credit Component, Annexure IV,
New Delhi, 2007, pp.85 -89.
303
illiterate or just literate and almost 14 percent were educated upto high school and
above including 1 percent graduates.
Around 91.9 percent of the borrowers reported no difficulty in accessing
RMK loans. The RMKs NGO partners in the respective states do not adequately
facilitate SHG formulation and stabilisation. Availability of RMK micro-credit
gave women the choice and resource to start new economic activities, expand
their existing activities and shift in occupation from, e.g., casual worker to a
producer.
The family‟s access to food/nutrition increased. Eleven percent more
borrowers than non-borrowers report improvement in taking ration from fair
price shop though they are still less than half(43.7 %) of the borrowers. There
was a positive shift with respect to improvement in nutrition of the family
members by a majority (60 %) of borrowers against only a little more than half of
this shift (35.6 %) among non-borrowers. All borrowers said that they were
active participants in Gram Panchayats and their committees and simple
participants in the Gram Sabhas, while the non-borrowers reported that they did
not participate at all.
8.4.19: Balika Samridhi Yojana: This scheme was launched on October 2, 1997
and was revised in 1999400
. The scheme is aimed at altering the perspective
toward the girl child. It endeavours to generate awareness amongst families about
the needs of the girl child and protection of girls to bring them at par with boys.
Under this scheme, the mother of a girl child, girl child born on or after August
15, 1997 in a family below the poverty line in rural and urban areas will be given
a grant of Rs.500/-. It also provides scholarship for the education of the girl child
when she attends school. The Balika Samridhi Yojana launched with the specific
aim to change the community‟s attitude toward the girl child has been further
recast in June 1999, that is, in the recast scheme, the post-delivery grant of
Rs.500/- per child is deposited in an interest-bearing account in the name of the
400
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Economic Survey 1999-2000, Chapter on “Social
Sectors”.
304
new born girl child. In addition, the benefit of scholarships granted will also be
deposited in the same account.
Objectives: A few of its important objectives are as under:
1. To change the negative attitude of the family toward girl child at birth and
toward her mother;
2. To improve the enrollment and retention of the girl child in school;
3. To raise the age at marriage of girls; and
4. To assist the girls to undertake income generating activities.
Beneficiaries: Under Balika Samridhi Yojana, the girl child belonging to BPL
families, as defined by the Government of India in rural and urban areas, are
given benefit. It targets BPL girls and daughters of rag pickers, pavement
dwellers and the like. The girls who are born on or after 15th
August 1997 are
provided benefit. The benefits are restricted to two girl children in a household
irrespective of number of children in the household.
Components: From the start of the scheme the mother of the girl child is given
Rs.500/- and annual scholarships are also awarded when the girl child starts
attending school. The girl child under Balika Samridhi Yojana avails the
following benefits:
a) A post delivery grant of Rs.500/- .
b) Annual scholarships ranging from Rs.300/- to Rs.1000/- per annum from
class I to X.
On the recommendations of Group of Ministers, the Balika Samridhi
Yojana was recast in 1999401
. The said amount can also be deposited either in the
Post Office or in the Bank in an interest bearing account in the name of the girl
child and is to be paid to the girl child after she attains the age of 18 years. It is
reported in the Economic Survey 2002-03 that the scheme has benefitted 3.5
million children in 2001-02. The scheme is implemented through ICDS
401
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Economic Survey 2000-01, Chapter on “Social
Sectors”.
305
infrastructure in rural areas and through functionaries of Health Department in
urban areas.
Present Status: As per the decision of Planning Commission, the Balika
Samridhi Yojana is soon to be transferred to states and hence token provision is
reflected in Union Budget 2006-07402
. The total budgetary provision for the
Balika Samridhi Yojana during 1996-2007 can be had from Table No.8.19.
Table No. 8.19: Balika Samriddhi Yojana
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 NA NA NA
1997-98 NA NA NA
1998-99 60.00 … 60.00
1999-00 40.00 … 40.00
2000-01 27.00 … 27.00
2001-02 25.00 … 25.00
2002-03* … … …
2003-04** 13.50 … 13.50
2004-05 0.03 … 0.03
2005-06 0.03 … 0.03
2006-07 0.03 … 0.03
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
*In the Tenth Plan it was decided to transfer this scheme to the state
governments. Therefore, no budget provision is made in budget
estimates for 2002-03. ** National Development Council has not
approved the transfer of this scheme to states, therefore the budget
provision is again made in 2002-03 Union Budget.
In the year 1998-99, the total expenditure was Rs.60 crore. A perusal of
the Table No.8.19 shows that the total expenditure continuously declined
between 1998-99 and 2006-07. During 1999-00 the total amount sanctioned
reduced to Rs.40 crore. The total amount budgeted further declined to Rs.27
402
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budget 2006-07, Expenditure Budget,
Volume II, Notes on Demands for Grants, p.136.
306
crore and to Rs.25 crore in 2000-01 and 2001-02 respectively. An amount of
Rs.13.50 crore was total budgetary allocation in 2003-04. For the consecutive
years 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 the total amount of money has remained
same, that is, Rs.0.03 crore. In terms of percent the outlay from 1998-99 to
2006-07 has declined by 99.95. This decline, however, is not a worrying factor
because the scheme is transferred to the states.
8.4.20: Integrated Projects for Development of Women (Swa-shakti) (also
known as Rural Women’s Development and Empowerment Project): The
„Integrated Projects for Development of Women‟ Project was sanctioned on 16th
October 1998 as a centrally sponsored scheme for implementation in the states of
Bihar, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,
Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh for duration of five years with an outlay of Rs.186
crore. An additional amount of Rs.5 crore was provided for the project for
facilitating setting up of revolving funds for giving interest-bearing loans to
beneficiary groups, primarily during formative stages. It is an externally aided
project and is implemented through Women‟s Development Corporations and
Societies403
.
The project is jointly funded by the World Bank and the International
Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Government of India. The
overall objective of the project is development and empowerment of women,
particularly those engaged in “on farm” activities, in rural areas, through Self–
Help groups404
. In 2000-01, Integrated Project for Development of Women
(Rural Women‟s Development and Empowerment Project) was renamed as
Swa-shakti Project405
. The name Swa-shakti itself emphasises the recognition of
one‟s inner strength406
.
403
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2002-03, Chapter 6, “Programmes for Women”, pp.77-78. 404
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2002-03, Chapter 6, “Programmes for Women”, p.78. 405
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Economic Survey 2000-01, Chapter on “Social
Sectors”. 406
Swa-shakti Project, “Gender –A Swa-shakti Working Paper”, Swa-shakti Publications, p.6,
accessed on 4th
January 2010 (www.vanbandhukalyanyojana.gujarat.gov.in/Swa-Shakti).
307
Objectives: The specific objectives of the scheme are to:
1. Establish Self Help Groups which build self-reliance and self-confidence
and provide them greater access to and control over resources;
2. Sensitise and strengthen institutional capacity of support agencies;
3. Augmenting income of poor women through income generation activities;
4. Developing linkages to credit financing;
5. Improving access to better health-care and education.
Core Components of Swa-shakti Project407
: The core components of the
scheme are as under:
1. Community Assets: This is an important activity of the project that has helped
women members to meet some of their basic needs as well as creating a sense of
ownership in the community. A total of 1612 community assets were created so
far covering 2956 villages. The total value of assets created is Rs.73.01 lakh of
which the project fund was Rs.16.63 lakh against the quantum of external fund,
that is, Rs.56.38 lakh, which is channelised from other sources.
2. Income Generation Activity/ Micro Enterprise Development: Women
started micro-enterprises with improved access to credit and skill up-gradation.
The project has linked its members with good quality training providers like
Krishi Vigyan Kendras, various research institutions of Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (ICAR), Agricultural Universities and local consultants. A
total of 82,163 on-farm activities and 48,733 non-farm activities were started
under the project. The average income of women engaged in income generating
activities went up from about Rs.513/- per month to about Rs.922/- per month.
3. Networking: The major activity under this component is the group
mobilisation and capacity building for functioning of self-help groups and
407
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2004-05, Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, pp.20-22.
308
formation of clusters. Around 1221 clusters covering around 1400 SHGs were
formed.
4. Bank Linkage: The project has helped to link SHG members to formal
financial institutions, which increased over the project period. The number of
SHGs linked with banks increased from 5,258 in June 2003 to 10,000 in
September 2004, an increase of almost 100 percent.
5. Business Counselling: The project has helped to set up Business Counselling
Centres. These centres provide various kinds of assistance to rural women
entrepreneurs, namely, preparing business plan, marketing and financial linkages,
counselling on banking procedures, business plans, application procedures, etc.
Progress of the Scheme: At the end of 2003-04, 17647 SHGs were formed
under the project against the target of 16000 SHGs covering about 2.40 lakh
women beneficiaries408
. It was implemented in 335 blocks of 57 districts of 9
states, namely, Haryana, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya
Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal409
.
Project Achievements: The 8th
Round of Concurrent Monitoring and Evaluation
describes its achievements as under410
:
1. The SHG membership has inculcated the habit of regular savings, which is
evident from the fact that 80 percent of groups are saving regularly, 82 percent of
groups are conducting meetings regularly with attendance of more than 80
percent members.
2. About 90 percent of SHG members are able to visit places both within and
outside their village for various reasons including training, exposure visits, banks
and meeting with government officials.
408
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2003-04, Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.7. 409
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2005-06, Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.27. 410
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2004-05, Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, pp.19-22.
309
3. In family decision-making, percentage of members having a say in sending
daughters to school recorded a major increase from under 0.5 percent in the year
2000 to almost 90 percent during 2004-05.
4. Another notable achievement was the fact that 38 percent of groups attend
grass root level meetings compared to 2.4 percent at the year 2000 baseline.
5. The percentage of expectant SHG members in accessing ante-natal care
facilities increased from 53 percent in 2000 to above 80 percent in 2004.
6. The percentage of members having a girl child in the age group of 6-14 years
was found to be around 33 percent out of which 93 percent were being sent to
school as compared to below 65 percent in 2000.
7. Access to appropriate services rose from 37 percent in 2000 to 76.5 percent in
2003.
8. Similarly, access to safe drinking water rose from about 25 percent in 2000 to
almost 50 percent in 2003.
Present Status: The project culminated in June 2005411
. The total outlay related
to Integrated Projects for Development of Women between 1996-1997 and
2006-07 is given in the below Table No.8.20.
411
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2005-06, Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.27.
310
Table No. 8.20: Integrated Projects for Development of Women*
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 NA NA NA
1997-98 NA NA NA
1998-99 19.30 … 19.30
1999-00 12.81 … 12.81
2000-01 15.00 … 15.00
2001-02 15.00 … 15.00
2002-03 25.00 … 25.00
2003-04 40.00 … 40.00
2004-05 25.00 … 25.00
2005-06** 5.00 … 5.00
2006-07 2.00 … 2.00
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
*From 2000-01 Integrated Project for Development of Women has
been renamed as Swa-shakti Project.
** The programme is closed in June 2005.
A sum of Rs.19.30 crore was provided in the year 1998-99. It declined to
Rs.12.81 crore in 1999-00 and to Rs.15.00 crore in 2000-01 and 2001-02. The
total outlay budgeted in 2002-03 was Rs.25 crore, which stepped up to Rs.40
crore in 2003-04. In the year 2004-05, the budgetary provision declined to Rs.25
crore and further it has considerably declined to Rs.5.00 crore in 2005-06 and to
Rs.2.00 crore in 2006-07. The overall decline in percentage is -89.6. The decline
is on account of culmination of the Swa-shakti project in June 2005.
8.4.21: Indira Mahila Yojana (IMY) (Swayamsiddha): The IMY was launched
in August 1995 on pilot basis in 200 blocks of the country. The vital objective of
IMY is to give a forward thrust to the education, awareness, income-generation
capacities and the empowerment of women. This scheme emphasises the
constitution of Indira Mahila Block Societies (IMBS) at the block level and
Indira Mahila Kendras (IMK) at the Anganwadi level. At the grass root level
under every Anganwadi, there should be women‟s self-help groups.
311
Swayamsiddha: Swayamsiddha was approved during February 2001412
. It is an
integrated scheme for the development and empowerment of women.
Swayamsiddha is envisaged to recast Indira Mahila Yojana into an integrated
programme for women‟s empowerment, renamed as „Swayamsiddha‟.
Objectives: The long-term objective of the programme is the all round
empowerment of women by ensuring their direct access to, and control over,
resources through a sustained process of mobilisation and convergence of all the
on-going sectoral programmes. The immediate objectives are413
:
1. Establishment of self-reliant women‟s self-help groups;
2. Creation of confidence and awareness among members of SHGs
regarding women‟s status, health, nutrition, education, sanitation and
hygiene, legal rights, economic upliftment and other social, economic and
political issues;
3. Strengthening the saving habits among rural women;
4. Improving access of women to micro credit and involvement of women in
local level planning;
5. Convergence of services of DWCD and other departments.
Coverage: This scheme covers 650 blocks in the country including 238 IMY
blocks in 335 districts. Under this scheme 53100 SHGs, comprising 9,29,250
beneficiaries, shall be set up throughout the country414
.
Components: Important components of the programme are, the formulation,
implementation and monitoring of block-specific composite projects for four to
five years.
412
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2001-02, Chapter 7, “Programmes for Women”, p.3. 413
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2001-02, Chapter 7, “Programmes for Women”, pp.1-2. 414
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2002-03, Chapter 6, “Programmes for Women”, pp.76-77.
312
Progress of the Scheme: During the period 2002-03 to 2006-07, 2, 31,133 poor
women have been benefitted from the scheme and an amount of Rs.8587.86 lakh
is released415
.
Present Status: Indira Mahila Yojana has been recast and replaced by a new
scheme Swayamsiddha416
. The following Table No.8.21 contains information
pertaining to Indira Mahila Yojana during 1996-2007.
Table No. 8.21: Indira Mahila Yojana*
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 NA NA NA
1997-98 NA NA NA
1998-99 NA NA NA
1999-00 10.00 … 10.00
2000-01 18.00 … 18.00
2001-02 19.50 … 19.50
2002-03 18.50 … 18.50
2003-04 18.00 .. 18.00
2004-05 18.00 .. 18.00
2005-06 18.50 … 18.50
2006-07 27.00 … 27.00
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
*This scheme has been recast and replaced by a new scheme
Swayamsiddha
The outlay for the year 1999-00 was Rs.10.00 crore. It increased to
Rs.18.00 crore in 2000-01 and again to Rs.19.50 crore in 2001-02. During the
year 2002-03, a total budgetary provision of Rs.18.50 crore was allocated and it
slightly declined to Rs.18.00 crore for the next two years 2003-04 and 2004-05.
A provision of Rs.18.50 crore was made in 2005-06 which augmented to Rs.27
415
Government of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India 2009, A Reference
Annual, Fifty Third Edition, New Delhi, 2009, p.994. 416
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budget 2002-03, Expenditure Budget,
Volume II, Notes on Demands for Grants, p.119.
313
crore in 2006-07. The overall percentage increase between 1998-99 and 2006-07
was 170.
Evaluation of Swayamsiddha Scheme: The scheme Swayamsidha was
evaluated by an external agency, that is, Indian Institute of Public Opinion
Private Limited (IIPO), New Delhi, in 2005417
. Under Swayamsiddha, SHG
formation target was 65,000 for 650 blocks. Most of the states have achieved
their targets. It is found that attendance is 100 percent except where the revenue
villages are scattered over several kilometers. Women in Swayamsiddha Blocks
have been benefitted a lot. It has helped women by increasing income, decision-
making process, participation in political field, knowledge of legal rights, health
issues, etc418
.
8.4.22: Swadhar: Swadhar was introduced in the year 2001-02 to address the
needs and requirements of women in distress in diverse situations under different
conditions419
, like destitute widows deserted by their families in religious places
like Vrindavan, Kashi and women prisoners, etc.
Objectives: The following are the objectives of the scheme:
1. To meet primary need of shelter, food, clothing and care to the
marginalised women/girls living in difficult circumstances who are
without any social and economic support;
2. To provide emotional support and counselling to such women;
3. To rehabilitate them socially and economically through education,
awareness, etc.
4. To arrange specific clinical, legal and other support for women/girls in-
need;
5. To provide help line or other facilities to such women in distress; and
417
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2007-08,
Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, pp.24-25. 418
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2007-08,
Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, pp.24-25. 419
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budget 2002-03, Expenditure Budget,
Volume II, Notes on Demands for Grants, p.119.
314
6. To provide such other services as will be required for the support and
rehabilitation of such women.
Beneficiaries: The beneficiaries of the scheme include, widows deserted by their
families and relatives, women prisoners released from jail without family
support, women who are victims of natural calamities, mentally disordered
women, victims of trafficking or similarly placed women in difficult
circumstances.
Components: The scheme shall have the following main components, namely,
assistance for construction of buildings for the centres, rent for the shelters,
assistance for the management of the centres, provision for food, shelter and
clothing for women and their children below age of 18 years, counselling for
women in difficult circumstances, clinical, legal support and help line facilities
for such women.
Progress of the Scheme: During 2003-04, an amount of Rs 1.10 crore was
released and 400 women received benefits420
. An amount of Rs.123.87 lakh was
released for 24 new projects benefitting 1,250 women in 2004-05421
. During the
year 2006-07, an expenditure of Rs.6.05 crore was incurred. Twenty Swadhar
shelter homes including 2 under construction and 23 Women Helplines project
have been sanctioned422
. Table No.8.22 throws light on the budgetary allocations
to the Swadhar scheme from 1996-2007.
420
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2003-04,Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.14. 421
Government of India, Department of Women and Child Development, Annual Report
2004-05, Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.27. 422
Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Annual Report 2006-07,
Chapter 2, “Programmes for Women”, p.29.
315
Table No. 8.22: Swadhar*
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 NA NA NA
1997-98 NA NA NA
1998-99 NA NA NA
1999-00 NA NA NA
2000-01 NA NA NA
2001-02 NA NA NA
2002-03 NA NA NA
2003-04 13.50 … 13.50
2004-05 2.70 ... 2.70
2005-06 5.50 … 5.50
2006-07 7.00 … 7.00
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
*This is a new scheme introduced in the year 2003-04
Swadhar scheme was started in the year 2003-04423
, therefore no
budgetary provision was made from 1996-97 to 2002-03. A provision of Rs.13.50
crore was made in the budget estimate for 2003-04. The budget allocated for the
year 2004-05 was Rs.2.70 crore, which increased to Rs.5.50 crore in 2005-06 and
further to Rs.7.00 crore in 2006-07. The overall percentage change between
2003-04 and 2006-07 is -48.14.
8.4.23: Scheme for Rescue of Victims of Trafficking: This is a new scheme
that aims at supporting the efforts of the NGOs in rescue operations of victims of
trafficking. To encourage NGOs, it is proposed to provide assistance to NGOs to
meet the cost of transporting the trafficked victims to shelter homes and
temporary stay of inmates in the shelter homes, etc. The following Table No.8.23
shows budgetary allocation to the Scheme for Rescue of Victims of Trafficking
from 1996 to 2007.
423
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budget 2003-04, Expenditure Budget,
Volume II, Notes on Demands for Grants, p.133.
316
Table No. 8.23 Scheme for Rescue of Victims of Trafficking*
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 NA NA NA
1997-98 NA NA NA
1998-99 NA NA NA
1999-00 NA NA NA
2000-01 NA NA NA
2001-02 NA NA NA
2002-03 NA NA NA
2003-04 NA NA NA
2004-05 3.00 … 3.00
2005-06 0.25 … 0.25
2006-07 0.45 … 0.45
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
*This scheme was introduced in the year 2004-05.
Between 1996 and 2004 there was no budgetary provision as the scheme
was launched in 2004-05424
. During the year 2004-05, the total budgeted amount
was Rs.3.00 crore. A total provision of Rs.0.25 crore and Rs.0.45 crore was made
in 2005-06 and 2006-07 respectively. The percentage change between 2004-05
and 2006-07 was -85.
8.4.24: National Nutrition Mission (NNM): The Prime Minister in his
Independence Day Speech on 15th
August 2001 had announced that a National
Nutrition Mission would be set up and that food grains at subsidised rates would
be made available to adolescent girls and expectant and nursing mothers
belonging to BPL families.
Objectives: The vital objective of NNM is reduction of malnutrition and
elimination of micronutrient deficiency and reduction in chronic energy
deficiency by providing subsidised food425
. It aims to provide subsidised food
424
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budget 2004-05, Expenditure Budget,
Volume II, Notes on Demands for Grants, p.128. 425
Government of India, Planning Commission, accessed on 4th
December 2010
(www.planningcommission.nic.in).
317
grains to adolescent girls, expectant and nursing mothers belonging to BPL
families. The following Table No.8.24 highlights the budgetary allocation to the
scheme National Nutrition Mission from 1996-97 to 2006-07.
Table No. 8.24: National Nutrition Mission
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 NA NA NA
1997-98 NA NA NA
1998-99 NA NA NA
1999-00 NA NA NA
2000-01 NA NA NA
2001-02 NA NA NA
2002-03 1.00 … 1.00
2003-04 0.03 … 0.03
2004-05 0.03 … 0.03
2005-06 0.03 … 0.03
2006-07 0.03 … 0.03
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
During 2002-03, a sum of Rs.1.00 crore was allocated. It is clear from the
Table No.8.24 that the budgetary provision remained constant in the next four
years, i.e., 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 respectively. The overall
decline in terms of percentage from 2002-03 to 2006-07 is -97.
8.4.25: Other Schemes of Nutrition: The Non-Plan infrastructure of the Food
and Nutrition Board, undertakes measures for promoting the directives of the
National Nutrition Policy at Centre and State levels and implements programmes
for creating nutritional awareness at different levels. Nutrition orientation of grass
root level functionaries and their trainers is undertaken by organising Integrated
Nutrition Education Camps and Orientation Training Courses426
. The Table
No.8.25 has data pertaining to „Other Schemes‟ on Nutrition from 1996-97 to
2006-07.
426
Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budget 2003-04, Expenditure Budget,
Volume II, Notes on Demands for Grants, p.133.
318
Table No. 8.25: Nutrition-Other Schemes
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Plan Non-Plan Total
1996-97 2.31 3.75 6.06
1997-98 2.31 3.70 6.01
1998-99 2.51 3.80 6.31
1999-00 3.25 5.50 8.75
2000-01 2.90 6.15 9.05
2001-02 4.00 6.15 10.15
2002-03 1.80 6.07 7.87
2003-04 1.80 5.96 7.76
2004-05 1.80 5.93 7.73
2005-06 5.04 6.46 11.50
2006-07 5.04 7.10 12.14
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
During the year 1996-97 the budgetary allocation was Rs.6.06 crore, it
declined to Rs.6.01 crore in 1997-98 and it slightly increased to Rs.6.31 crore in
1998-99. It can be observed from the Table No.8.25 that the allotment increased
to Rs.8.75 crore in 1999-00, to Rs.9.05 crore in 2000-01 and further to Rs.10.15
crore in 2001-02. In the next year 2002-03 and in 2003-04, the budgetary
allocation declined to Rs.7.87 crore and further to Rs.7.76 crore respectively. It
further marginally declined to Rs.7.73 crore in 2004-05. The total allocation
increased to Rs.11.50 crore in 2005-06 and further to Rs.12.14 crore in 2006-07.
There is a 100.34 percent increase in budgetary allocation from 1996-97 to
2006-07.
8.4.26: Budgetary Provision to DWCD: 1996-97 to 2006-07
The following Table No.8.26 sheds light on the total expenditure of the
Union Government and the budgetary provision to the Department of Women
and Child Development from 1996-97 to 2006-07.
319
Table No. 8.26: Total Expenditure of the Union Government and Allocation
to the Department of Women and Child Development
(Rupees in Crore)
Year Total Expenditure
DWCD
In Percent *
1996-97 202024 875.07 0.434
1997-98 232176 948.10 0.408
1998-99 267927 1274.23 0.475
1999-00 283882 1371.83 0.483
2000-01 338487 1512.00 0.447
2001-02 375223 1705.00 0.454
2002-03 410309 2253.64 0.549
2003-04 438795 2653.91 0.604
2004-05 477829 2454.19 0.513
2005-06 514344 3931.11 0.764
2006-07 563991 4852.94 0.860
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97
to 2006-07, Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for
Grants, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of
Women and Child Development.
* Shows the budgetary allocation of DWCD as proportion of Total
Union Government Expenditure
Table No.8.26 shows that the total expenditure of the government and the
budgetary allocation to DWCD has continuously increased from 1996-97 to
2006-07. During the year 1996-97, total expenditure was Rs.202024 crore and
allocation to the Department of Women and Child Development was Rs.875.07
crore. As a percent of the total government expenditure, this constitutes about
0.434 percent. In 1997-98, the total expenditure was Rs.232176 crore and
budgetary provision to DWCD was Rs.948.10 crore, that is, 0.408 percent of the
320
total expenditure. In 1998-99, the total expenditure increased to Rs.267927 crore
and budgetary allocation to DWCD increased to Rs.1274.23 crore, that is, 0.475
percent of the total expenditure. The total expenditure increased to Rs.283882
crore and budgetary provision for DWCD increased to Rs.1371.83 crore, which
is, 0.483 percent of the total expenditure in 1999-00. During the years 2000-01
and 2001-02 the total expenditure was Rs.338487 crore and Rs.375223 crore and
budgetary allocation to DWCD was Rs.1512.00 crore , i.e, 0.447 percent of the
total expenditure and Rs.1705.00 crore i.e., 0.454 percent of the total expenditure
respectively. In 2002-03 the total expenditure increased to Rs.410309 crore and
budgetary allocation for DWCD also increased to Rs.2253.64 crore. It was 0.549
percent of the total Union Government expenditure. The total expenditure again
increased to Rs.438795 crore, to Rs.477829 crore, to Rs.514344 crore and to
Rs.563991 crore during 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 respectively.
Similarly, the budgetary allocation to the DWCD also increased to Rs.2653.91
crore (0.604 % of the total expenditure) in 2003-04, to Rs.2454.19 crore (0.513 %
of the total expenditure) in 2004-05, to Rs.3931.11 crore (0.764 % of the total
expenditure) in 2005-06 and to Rs.4852.94 crore (0.860 % of the total
expenditure) in the year 2006-07.
It can be observed from the above Table No.8.26 that the budgetary
allocation to DWCD has continuously increased from 1996-97 to 2006-07. The
budgetary allocation of the DWCD, however, as a percent of the total
government expenditure was around 0.45 percent between 1996-97 and 2001-02,
thereafter, it has continuously increased except in the year 2004-05. The figures
in the above Table No.8.26 indicate that the total allocation to the Department of
Women and Child Development is not even one percent of total expenditure
between 1996-97 and 2006-07.
The following Graph Nos.8.11 and 8.12 depict the data contained in Table
No.8.26.
321
Graph No. 8.11: Allocation to the Department of Women and Child Development
Graph No. 8.12: Allocation to the Department of Women and Child Development
8.4.27: Total Budgetary Allocation to DWCD Programmes/Schemes
(1996-97 to 2006-07): The following Table No.8.27 contains data related to the
changes in budgetary allocation of DWCD programmes/schemes between
1996-97 and 2006-07.
322
Table No. 8.27:
Total Budgetary Allocation to DWCD
Schemes/ Programmes (1996-97 to 2006-07)
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Union Budgets from 1996-97 to 2006-07,
Expenditure Budget, Volume II, Notes on Demands for Grants, Ministry of Human Resource
Development, Department of Women and Child Development.
Sl.No. Schemes/Programmes of DWCD Amount
(In Crores) In Percent
1. ICDS: Budgetary Provision 16667.71 69.93
2. World Bank Assisted ICDS Projects 2257.91 9.47
3. Expenditure on Training Programme 483.8 2.03
4. Day Care Centres 364.9 1.53
5. Contribution of GOI to UNICEF 36.99 0.15
6. Budgetary Provision of NIPCCD 98.56 0.41
7. Other Schemes: Budgetary Provision 92.24 0.38
8. Condensed Courses for Women Education 60.95 0.26
9. Hostels for Working Women 89 0.37
10. Support to Training and Employment
Programme 189 0.79
11. Mahila Samriddhi Yojana 165.04 0.69
12. Socio-Economic Programmes 37.99 0.15
13. Training-cum-Production Centres 172.8 0.72
14. Short Stay Homes 142.58 0.59
15. Awareness Generation Programme 38.85 0.16
16. National Commission for Women 48.23 0.20
17. Rashtriya Mahila Kosh 17.02 0.071
18. Balika Samriddhi Yojana 165.59 0.69
19. Integrated Projects for Development of
Women 159.11 0.67
20. Indira Mahila Yojana 147.5 0.61
21. Swadhar 28.7 0.12
22. Scheme for Rescue of Victims of
Trafficking 3.7 0.015
23. National Nutrition Mission 1.12 0.004
24. Nutrition-Other Schemes 93.33 0.39
323
According to Table No.8.26, the grand total budgetary allocation to
DWCD between 1996-97 and 2006-07 amounted to Rs.23832.02 crore. Table
No.8.27 sheds light on the total budgetary allocation for various
schemes/programmes of the Department of Women and Child Development
between 1996-97 and 2006-07. It can be noticed that highest budgetary provision
is made for ICDS which is Rs.16667.71 crore (69.93%) and lowest budgetary
provision is for National Nutrition Mission which is Rs.1.12 crore (0.004%). The
other significant programmes/schemes were, 1) World Bank Assisted ICDS
Projects (9.47%); 2) Day Care Centres (1.53%); 3) Budgetary Provision of
NIPCCD (0.41%); 4) Condensed Courses for Women Education (0.26%); 5)
Hostels for Working women (0.37%); 6) Short Stay Homes (0.59%); 7) Rashtriya
Mahila Kosh (0.071%); 8) Balika Samriddhi Yojana (0.69%); 9) Indira Mahila
Yojana (0.61%); 10) Swadhar (0.12%), etc. It is eminently clear from Table
No.8.27 that budgetary allocation to „women exclusive‟ programmes/schemes is
less than budgetary allocation to „women-child‟ programmes/schemes.
It is learnt from the above discussion that the Government of India has
made Department of Women and Child Development as the nodal agency. This
Department of Women and Child Development runs several schemes and
manages different programmes. However, an in depth analysis brings this fact to
our notice that the allotment to Department of Women and Child Development is
meager. Further, within this department huge disparities in allocation exist. It is,
in the interest of gender equality, necessary that allocation to DWCD should go
up and within DWCD, the allocation to its different programmes should have
semblance.