Latest news with #DepartmentofWomenandChildDevelopment
Indian Express
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi: Data, verification, eligibility— why Mahila Samriddhi scheme is stuck
Non-availability of consolidated data of eligible beneficiaries, time-consuming verification process, and delay in developing an online portal are among the reasons behind the delay in implementing the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, one of the top poll promises of the ruling BJP. Under the scheme, the government has promised a monthly aid of Rs 2,500 to women with a household income under Rs 2.5 lakh. The BJP initially promised to deliver the scheme by March 8, International Women's Day. However, it was approved by the Delhi Cabinet after the deadline passed, and a budget of Rs 5,100 crore was allocated. The government constituted a high-level committee headed by CM Rekha Gupta and ministers Parvesh Sahib Singh, Kapil Mishra, and Ashish Sood as members to finalise the eligibility criteria, norms, and implementation of this scheme. Asked about the reasons behind the delay and expected launch of the scheme, the CM said, 'I believe that the time we've had so far is a very short period to implement a detailed and foolproof plan. It needs to be fully prepared and presented to the public.' She said verification of eligible candidates will be completed, and registration will take place. 'As I have repeatedly said, the Mahila Samriddhi Scheme is not a one-time scheme. It is meant to reach every single woman who comes from a poor family… We do not want even a single eligible woman to be left out… We don't want to implement it in a hurry,' she added. 'We want this scheme to be implemented in a way that an eligible woman can apply every month for financial assistance… Work is on to create a detailed plan… It will soon be implemented,' the CM added. The Delhi government has decided to create a unique data hub with consolidated data to identify eligible candidates, according to officials. To collect this data, the department has started verification of ration card and BPL (below poverty line) card holders to weed out ineligible candidates. The IT department, which is executing the data hub project, has selected six departments — Department of Women and Child Development, Social Welfare, Revenue, MCD, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, and Labour — on a pilot basis to implement its ambitious Unified Data Hub (UDH) project, which will consolidate data from various departments in a single space to ensure only eligible people avail the benefits of welfare schemes. Moreover, sources said, the committee formed to decide the eligibility norms for the Rs 2,500 scheme met last week under the chairmanship of the CM. Defining a family as husband, wife, and children; capping annual family income at Rs 2.5 lakh; limiting the scheme to women aged between 21 and 60 years; one beneficiary per family; and non-owner of a vehicle — these are among the eligibility criteria being considered for the scheme. 'The scheme is likely to be implemented before the Bihar elections, which are in November,' an official said.
New Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
States told to pick officers for women safety
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed all the states and union territories to identify the officers in the Department of Women and Child Development at the district and taluka levels and designate them as protection officers. A two-judge bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma directed the chief secretaries of the states, UTs and the secretaries of the Women and Child/Social Welfare Departments to ensure the designation of officers as protection officers under the Domestic Violence Act. The SC's direction came on a plea filed by the petitioner-NGO, We the Women of India, seeking to fill massive gaps in infrastructure under Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act. The NGO said domestic violence continues to be the most common crime against females in India despite the Domestic Violence Act coming into force more than 15 years.
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
SC directs states to appoint protection officers, ensure aid for domestic violence survivors
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed all the states and union territories to identify officers in the Department of Women and Child Development at the district and taluka levels and designate them as protection officers. A protection officer is an appointed individual tasked with ensuring the safety and well-being of victims of domestic violence. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma directed the chief secretaries of the states, UTs and the secretaries of the Women and Child/Social Welfare Departments to coordinate and ensure the designation of officers as protection officers under the Domestic Violence Act. "They shall also take steps to discharge their duties under Section 11 by giving wide publicity through media to promote awareness about the provisions of the Act, ensure effective coordination of services under the Act, and implement its provisions," it said. The bench directed that the exercise be completed within six weeks from today in areas where protection officers weren't designated. "The states shall ensure the availability of service providers, help groups, and shelter homes for distressed women. The respondent states shall also identify shelter homes for this purpose," the top court noted. Underlining the right under the Legal Services Authorities Act, the bench ordered the member secretary of the National Legal Services Authority to instruct all member secretaries of the state legal services authorities to spread awareness among women about their right to free legal aid and advice under the Domestic Violence Act.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Designate protection officers to ensure safety of women from domestic abuse: SC to states, UTs
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed all the states and union territories to identify officers in the Department of Women and Child Development at the district and taluka levels and designate them as protection officers. A protection officer is an appointed individual tasked with ensuring the safety and well-being of victims of domestic violence . A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma directed the chief secretaries of the states, UTs and the secretaries of the Women and Child/Social Welfare Departments to coordinate and ensure the designation of officers as protection officers under the Domestic Violence Act. "They shall also take steps to discharge their duties under Section 11 by giving wide publicity through media to promote awareness about the provisions of the Act, ensure effective coordination of services under the Act, and implement its provisions," it said. The bench directed for the exercise to be completed within six weeks from today in areas where protection officers weren't designated. "The states shall ensure the availability of service providers, help groups, and shelter homes for distressed women. The respondent states shall also identify shelter homes for this purpose," the top court added. Live Events Underlining the right under the Legal Services Authorities Act, the bench ordered the member secretary of National Legal Services Authority to instruct all member secretaries of the state legal services authorities to spread awareness among women about their right to free legal aid and advice under the Domestic Violence Act. They shall also give adequate publicity to these provisions, the bench said. "Needless to say, if any woman approaches for legal aid or advice, it shall be provided expeditiously, as the Act guarantees every woman the right to free legal assistance," it noted. The top court's direction came on a plea filed by NGO We the Women of India seeking to fill massive gaps in infrastructure under Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act across the country for providing effective legal aid to women survivors of abuse at matrimonial homes and creating shelter homes for them post lodging of complaints against husbands and inlaws. The NGO, in its plea filed through advocate Shobha Gupta, said domestic violence continues to be the most common crime against females in India despite the Domestic Violence Act coming into force more than 15 years.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Designate protection officers to ensure safety of women from domestic abuse: SC to states, UTs
New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed all the states and union territories to identify officers in the Department of Women and Child Development at the district and taluka levels and designate them as protection officers. A protection officer is an appointed individual tasked with ensuring the safety and well-being of victims of domestic violence. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma directed the chief secretaries of the states, UTs and the secretaries of the Women and Child/Social Welfare Departments to coordinate and ensure the designation of officers as protection officers under the Domestic Violence Act. "They shall also take steps to discharge their duties under Section 11 by giving wide publicity through media to promote awareness about the provisions of the Act, ensure effective coordination of services under the Act, and implement its provisions," it said. The bench directed for the exercise to be completed within six weeks from today in areas where protection officers weren't designated. "The states shall ensure the availability of service providers, help groups, and shelter homes for distressed women. The respondent states shall also identify shelter homes for this purpose," the top court added. Underlining the right under the Legal Services Authorities Act, the bench ordered the member secretary of National Legal Services Authority to instruct all member secretaries of the state legal services authorities to spread awareness among women about their right to free legal aid and advice under the Domestic Violence Act. They shall also give adequate publicity to these provisions, the bench said. "Needless to say, if any woman approaches for legal aid or advice, it shall be provided expeditiously, as the Act guarantees every woman the right to free legal assistance," it noted. The top court's direction came on a plea filed by NGO We the Women of India seeking to fill massive gaps in infrastructure under Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act across the country for providing effective legal aid to women survivors of abuse at matrimonial homes and creating shelter homes for them post lodging of complaints against husbands and inlaws. The NGO, in its plea filed through advocate Shobha Gupta, said domestic violence continues to be the most common crime against females in India despite the Domestic Violence Act coming into force more than 15 years.
