Nalanda, Bihar Sharif: A high-level review meeting on the implementation and effective monitoring of Mission Shakti and the Chief Minister Nari Shakti Scheme was held in Nalanda district on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Development Commissioner Sara Ashraf and reviewed the progress of several schemes related to women’s safety, empowerment and rehabilitation.
At the beginning of the meeting, Nodal Officer of the Women and Child Development Corporation and District Programme Officer Archana Kumari presented a progress report on various women welfare schemes being implemented under Mission Shakti and the Chief Minister Nari Shakti Scheme.
Status of Women’s Welfare Schemes Reviewed
The meeting reviewed programmes being implemented under the centrally sponsored Mission Shakti, including the One Stop Centre, 181 Women Helpline, Nari Adalat, Sankalp: Hub for Empowerment of Women, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Shakti Sadan and Sakhi Niwas.
The updated status of schemes under the Chief Minister Nari Shakti Scheme was also reviewed. These included Palna Ghar (creche), skill development programmes, the Social Rehabilitation Fund, working women’s hostels, prevention of sexual harassment of women at workplaces under the POSH Act, and menstrual hygiene management.
After a detailed review of the progress report, Deputy Development Commissioner Sara Ashraf issued important directions to the concerned officials for the effective implementation of the schemes.
62 of 65 Women Helpline Cases Resolved
The Woman Police Station in-charge was directed to refer victims to the One Stop Centre for proper counselling and psychological support whenever cases related to child marriage or harassment come to notice.
The meeting expressed satisfaction over the successful disposal of 62 out of the total 65 cases registered through the helpline. The District Project Manager was directed to ensure the priority-based and speedy disposal of the remaining three pending cases.
Directions were also issued to immediately publish a fresh advertisement for selecting suitable buildings and locations for the smooth functioning of Shakti Sadan and the working women’s hostel, Sakhi Niwas.
Instructions to Set Up a Creche at Police Lines
The Palna Ghar being operated at the district collectorate currently records an average daily attendance of five to six children. Considering the convenience of women working at the Police Lines, officials were directed to expedite the process of establishing a Palna Ghar there as well.
Officials were also instructed to identify and prepare a list of women affected by violence whose husbands had abandoned them after entering into a second marriage.
The District Project Manager was directed to immediately forward files for providing financial assistance of ₹10,000 under the Social Rehabilitation Fund to extremely needy and helpless women.
Focus on Awareness and POSH Act Implementation
Appreciating the dialogue programmes being conducted under the scheme, the Deputy Development Commissioner directed the District Programme Officer to organise additional special and innovative activities to increase awareness across the district.
The meeting also stressed the strict implementation of the law for the prevention of sexual harassment of women, known as the POSH Act. Directions were issued to organise special workshops at both district and block levels through trained experts.
Deputy Development Commissioner Sara Ashraf also said that she would conduct a surprise inspection of the arrangements at the One Stop Centre.
At the end of the meeting, she reiterated that the safety, empowerment and rehabilitation of women were among the district administration’s top priorities and that no laxity would be tolerated in implementing the schemes.
The meeting was attended by the Civil Surgeon, District Welfare Officer, Woman Police Station in-charge, Bihar Sharif, Mamta-JEEViKA, District Mission Coordinator and other officials.
