NCW to take stock of central govt schemes for women

NEW DELHI: As part of its efforts to keep a tab on government schemes implemented for the benefit of women, the National Commission of Women has decided to conduct a country wide-survey of the implementation of all central government welfare schemes meant for women .

According to chairperson Rekha Sharma, the commission has so far surveyed poll bound Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and the state of Bihar. As per the findings of the visits, the commission has found that Bihar ‘lags’ behind in the implementation of most women related schemes, particularly the PM’s Matru Vandana Yojana and the Janani Suraksha Yojana that aim at giving monetary benefits to pregnant and new mothers.

“So far, we have have reviewed three states and the Bihar government was found lax in monitoring and documenting the implementation of the schemes,” Sharma said adding that the commission will direct state governments to effectively monitor and implement central government schemes. There are seven central government schemes that include maternity benefit schemes such as hot meals for pregnant and lactating mothers and cash benefits for expecting mothers to encourage institutional schemes.


Interestingly, the field visits conducted in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in September this year, revealed that both poll-bound states have fared well in providing entrepreneurial opportunities to women. “Both the state governments have effectively provided opportunities for self help groups to promote employment opportunities for women,” she said. “The Madhya Pradesh government is found to have the most number of schemes for the benefit of women,” she said.

While the NCW will also prepare a state-wise report of each field visit for the Women and Child Development ministry, the commission will also issue directives to each state to ensure the reach of these schemes.