Latest news with #SocialWelfareDepartment
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
UP expands CM mass wedding eligibility to ₹3 lakh annually
Lucknow, The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday said it has expanded the reach of Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana by increasing the annual income eligibility limit to ₹3 lakh, a move expected to boost applications from both rural and urban areas. Currently, the income limit is fixed at ₹2 lakh per annum. "From the fiscal year 2025-26, the state government has increased the financial assistance under the scheme to ₹1 lakh per couple. This enhanced support was evident during the recent mass marriage ceremony in Gorakhpur on May 27, where 1,200 couples were married under the scheme, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself in attendance," the government said. Preparations for the next round of weddings have already begun, it added, according to an official statement. "Officials have been directed to work in coordination with local bodies, gram panchayats, and anganwadi centres to ensure accurate identification," the government said. "The Social Welfare Department clarified that priority during application screening will be given to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, minorities, and economically weaker families from both rural and urban areas," it added. The revamped aid package includes ₹60,000 to be directly deposited into the bride's bank account, ₹25,000 worth of essential household gifts, and ₹15,000 allocated for organising the wedding event, according to the statement. The Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana was started Adityanath in 2017. "This scheme has been a blessing for those who could not afford to organise proper weddings for their daughters due to financial problems. In the last eight years, 4,76,207 girls from poor families have been married under this scheme," the government said. "So far, the Dalit community has benefited the most, with over 2.20 lakh girls from Dalit families getting married through the scheme. Additionally, around 1.30 lakh backward-class families and more than 40,000 minority families have also received support," it added.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Bihar cabinet approves 390 'protection officers' posts to assist women affected by domestic violence
The Bihar government on Tuesday approved the creation of 390 posts of full-time ' protection officers ' (POs) in all districts and sub-divisions to assist women affected by domestic violence . A decision to this effect was taken in the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar here on Tuesday. The cabinet approved the proposal of the state Social Welfare Department for the creation of 390 posts for the purpose. Play Video Play Skip Backward Skip Forward Mute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions and subtitles off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Ituzaingó (ver precio) Verisure Undo Soon after the cabinet decision, secretary of the Social Welfare Department and Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Bihar Women and Child Development Corporation ( WCDC ), Bandana Preyashi , "Earlier, the cabinet had approved the creation of a separate cadre to appoint full-time 'protection officers' at sub-division, district and state level to support women affected by domestic violence more effectively. Now, the cabinet approved the creation of 390 posts under the new cadre... the process to appoint full-time POs will start soon." "Full-time POs will also be appointed in all 38 districts of the state. A state-level protection officer will also be appointed by the government. The decision has been taken in view of the ' Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act , 2005. The decision has been taken in view of the state witnessing a rise in the cases of domestic violence," she said. Live Events "The move aims to ensure effective protection of the rights of women, guaranteed under the Constitution for victims of violence of any kind occurring within the family and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto," Preyashi said. As per the Act, the PO will assist the magistrate in the discharge of his functions and the former will also be responsible for getting the aggrieved person medically examined, if she has sustained bodily injuries and forward a copy of the medical report to the police station and the magistrate having jurisdiction in the area where the domestic violence is alleged to have been taken place. The PO will also ensure that the order for monetary relief is complied with and executed, in accordance with the procedure prescribed under the existing law, she explained. The state government has already taken several steps to ensure justice for women facing domestic violence through the enactment of Dowry Prohibition Act, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 etc., she said, adding different schemes also provide various kinds of services to women who face domestic violence. The number of cases registered and disposed of relating to crimes committed against women increased in 2023-24, when compared to the previous year, according to the Bihar Economic Survey report (2024-25) released by the state government in February this year. "It can be attributed to increased awareness and integrated support provided by the authorities concerned as many women are coming forward to register cases with the authorities," she said. Of the total 7,517 cases registered, 6,599 cases relating to offences against women were disposed of in 2023-24. Out of all cases in 2023-24, registration was the highest for dowry harassment at 837 while cases of sexual harassment at workplaces were at 24, she added.
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Bihar cabinet approves protection officers posts to assist women affected by domestic violence
Patna, The Bihar government on Tuesday approved the creation of 390 posts of full-time 'protection officers' in all districts and sub-divisions to assist women affected by domestic violence. A decision to this effect was taken in the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar here on Tuesday. The cabinet approved the proposal of the state Social Welfare Department for the creation of 390 posts for the purpose. Soon after the cabinet decision, secretary of the Social Welfare Department and Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Bihar Women and Child Development Corporation , Bandana Preyashi, told PTI, "Earlier, the cabinet had approved the creation of a separate cadre to appoint full-time 'protection officers' at sub-division, district and state level to support women affected by domestic violence more effectively. Now, the cabinet approved the creation of 390 posts under the new cadre... the process to appoint full-time POs will start soon." "Full-time POs will also be appointed in all 38 districts of the state. A state-level protection officer will also be appointed by the government. The decision has been taken in view of the 'Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. The decision has been taken in view of the state witnessing a rise in the cases of domestic violence," she said. "The move aims to ensure effective protection of the rights of women, guaranteed under the Constitution for victims of violence of any kind occurring within the family and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto," Preyashi said. As per the Act, the PO will assist the magistrate in the discharge of his functions and the former will also be responsible for getting the aggrieved person medically examined, if she has sustained bodily injuries and forward a copy of the medical report to the police station and the magistrate having jurisdiction in the area where the domestic violence is alleged to have been taken place. The PO will also ensure that the order for monetary relief is complied with and executed, in accordance with the procedure prescribed under the existing law, she explained. The state government has already taken several steps to ensure justice for women facing domestic violence through the enactment of Dowry Prohibition Act, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 etc., she said, adding different schemes also provide various kinds of services to women who face domestic violence. The number of cases registered and disposed of relating to crimes committed against women increased in 2023-24, when compared to the previous year, according to the Bihar Economic Survey report released by the state government in February this year. "It can be attributed to increased awareness and integrated support provided by the authorities concerned as many women are coming forward to register cases with the authorities," she said. Of the total 7,517 cases registered, 6,599 cases relating to offences against women were disposed of in 2023-24. Out of all cases in 2023-24, registration was the highest for dowry harassment at 837 while cases of sexual harassment at workplaces were at 24, she added.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Family of seven lives in makeshift hut
KUALA BERANG: Struggling to make ends meet, Mat Nasir Ismail from Kampung Paya Besar dreams of offering a better life to his wife and family. Due to financial hardship and the inability to pay rent, the 48-year-old father and his wife, Mazilah Mansor, 47, have been living with their five children, including one with disabilities, in a makeshift hut in a forested area of the village since March. The family resides in a roughly three-metre-long by 1.52-metre-wide hut without walls, with only a thin layer of cement as flooring. Mat Nasir also built another small hut out of discarded materials to serve as a kitchen and sleeping area for his child and daughter-in-law, Nur Syazwanie Natasha Mohd Zafri, 19. Earning about RM600 a month doing odd jobs such as spraying pesticides and clearing orchards, Mat Nasir said he had moved house 20 times after failing to afford monthly rent of RM400. "Although the hut we live in lacks basic amenities like electricity and water, and there's a constant threat from wild animals, including snakes, we accept our fate because we simply can't afford to rent a house," he said. He admitted that he constantly worries about dangers from creatures such as snakes, centipedes, and scorpions, especially at night. "We were almost attacked by a python while trying to set up a small tent to sleep, but fortunately my son, Muhammad Hafiszuddin, 22, noticed it just in time," he said. The family relies on river water located about 150 metres from the hut for washing, cooking, and bathing. "Although a kind individual donated a water pump to channel river water into a storage tank, we often have to carry water in containers, especially when the pump breaks down," said Mat Nasir, who supplements his income with RM700 a month in aid he recieves from the Social Welfare Department and RM1,800 annually in subsistence assistance from the Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council. He said the money is used to purchase building materials like cement and bricks to gradually construct a proper home. The financial aid also helps cover schooling costs for his two children, Muhammad Ramadan, 13, who attends Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sri Berang, and Muhammad Asyraf Muharam, 11, who studies at Sekolah Kebangsaan Tengku Ampuan Intan. "We have also applied for housing assistance, but our application was not approved," he added. Meanwhile, Kuala Berang state legislative assembly coordinating secretary Mohd Sapawi Shamsuddin said Mat Nasir and his family had been offered temporary accommodation free of charge at the Orang Kuala Berang (OKB) building, while efforts are made to secure proper housing assistance. "We have contacted the Kuala Berang constituency chief secretariat, Jalaludin Ismail, and he has agreed to provide free lodging at the OKB building for Mat Nasir," he said.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Autism still misunderstood despite growing awareness
PETALING JAYA: Autism awareness in Malaysia has improved over the past decade, but persistent misconceptions continue to hinder proper support and inclusion, according to consultant paediatrician and child-disability advocate Datuk Dr Amar-Singh HSS. He added that the rate of autism has increased in society over the past 30 to 40 years and referred to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which estimates that this year one in every 31 children or 3.2% will have autism. 'This increase is partly due to better detection, but also reflects a real rise in the number of persons with autism,' he said. Malaysia has seen a similar trend. According to the Social Welfare Department, the number of children diagnosed with autism rose over a decade from 6,991 in 2013 to 53,323 in 2023. Amar said although more Malaysians are familiar with the term autism today, many still mistakenly view it as a disease that needs to be cured. 'Autism is not a medical condition, illness or disease. An autistic person is someone whose brain works differently from others. We often use the term 'neurodivergent',' he explained. He highlighted that stereotypical portrayals in the media have shaped public perceptions of autistic individuals and stressed the importance of respectful language. 'We prefer (them) being called 'persons with disabilities' or 'disabled', rather than 'differently abled' or 'special needs'. For autism, use 'person with autism', 'autistic person' if that is the individual's preference, 'neurodiverse person' or 'person on the autism spectrum'. 'Avoid labels such as 'low-functioning' or 'high-functioning', and terms such as 'mild', 'moderate' or 'severe',' he said, adding that autistic people are as diverse as any other group. Amar emphasised that proper language upholds dignity and celebrates diversity, avoiding harmful stereotypes. He said one of the largest gaps in Malaysia's approach is early intervention. Highlighting international figures, Amar said at least 10% to 15% of children have developmental disabilities, yet many are only identified when they enter school, often too late for effective support. He stressed that early screening and intervention can significantly improve inclusion, reduce reliance on special education and enhance long-term outcomes, including employability and independence. An effective early intervention programme includes inclusive kindergarten placements with small teacher-to-child ratios, personalised education plans, communication therapy, social skills development and behaviour support from trained professionals. Amar called for a shift from NGO or privately led services to government funded, mainstream provisions accessible across all communities, including rural, indigenous and urban poor areas. He also advocated family centred care and universal design in learning, moving away from deficit based models. Among the practical barriers faced by families, Amar pointed out a lack of routine developmental screening for children aged two to six and the limited availability of early intervention services, especially for marginalised groups such as rural, indigenous, migrant and stateless families. He added that a key issue is the lack of consultation with autistic individuals by organisations and government bodies. 'The motto 'nothing about us without us' demands that autistic people be included in leadership and policy discussions. Inclusion starts with listening,' he said. Amar also noted that autistic individuals who belong to other marginalised communities face compounded barriers and are even more likely to be excluded. 'We need policy shifts that take a rights-based approach. Not charity, not pity, but rights. 'Autistic people should be at the centre of discussions about policies that affect them.'
