HPAS/Allied Mains 2022 Answer Writing Challenge Day 128 : Model Answer

QUESTION: What initiatives have been taken by the government of Himachal Pradesh for the welfare of women and children? (8 marks, 120 words)

Answer.

The State government has taken various major initiatives for socio-economic welfare of the children and women by providing them security, financial assistance and opportunities to live a respectable life.

The Directorate of Women and Child Development set up under the Social Justice and Empowerment Department is implementing several welfare schemes for women empowerment.

The one time post birth grant being given under “Beti Hai Anmol Yojna” to girl child at the time of birth in a BPL family has been increased from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 12,000.

The financial assistance to poor women for maintenance of their children under Mother Teresa Asahay Matri Sambal Yojna has also been enhanced from Rs. 4000 to Rs. 5000 per child, per annum. Nourishment (POSHAN) Abhiyan is being implemented in five districts.

The State government has launched a new scheme namely Mahila Shakti Kendra to empower rural women through community participation. Saksham Gudiya Board also make recommendations on acts, rules, policies and programme related to safety and security of girl child/adolescent girl and protection of crime against girl child.( Gudiya helpline number 1515)
A new comprehensive scheme Sashakt Mahila Yojna has been started with a vision to empower the rural women by providing them an interface for organisation and socio-economic development and to make every woman in the state well educated, skilled and self reliant in every respect thereby contributing to the socio-economic development of the state.
The State is implementing the centrally sponsored scheme Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna (PMMVY) for providing partial compensation for the wage loss in terms of cash incentives so that the women can take adequate rest before and after delivery of the first living child.
Himachal Pradesh Child Welfare Council (HP CWC) is providing equal opportunities to every child for optimum development of potential of children through Various initiatives. HP State council for child welfare has been declared as Special Adoption  Agency.  Scholarship Schemes like  Dr. Ambedkar Medhavi Chhatarvrity yojna, Sainik School Scholarship etc helps in optimum development of potential of children.

Integrated Child Protection scheme is helpful in achieving the objective to ensure the protection of rights of children and providing all associates services to the children who are in need of care and protection. They get free education, food and health care by the department.

Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act. 2012 (POCSO).

Integrated Child Development Services Scheme Under this scheme department is providing nutrition to the pregnant, Lactating mothers, adolescent girls and children of 6 month to 6 year. Pre School Education is being provided to the children of age group of 3 to 6 years.