Union Minister Annpurna Devi Leads Discussion on Womens Safety and Empowerment

New Delhi, August 21: Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annpurna Devi, chaired a meeting of the advisory committee associated with the ministry in Kolkata on Friday. The discussion focused on women’s safety, protection, and empowerment initiatives.

The meeting emphasized three key components of the Mission Shakti program: One Stop Centers (OSCs), the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), and the Sankalp: Women Empowerment Centers (HEW). An official stated that members from both houses of Parliament and senior officials from the ministry were present.

Addressing the parliamentarians, the Union Minister affirmed the ministry’s commitment to realizing the Prime Minister’s vision for women-led development and a developed India.

She noted that Mission Shakti is the government’s integrated plan for women’s safety, protection, and empowerment. The central government provides 100% financial assistance to states and union territories under its ‘Sambal’ sub-scheme, which includes One Stop Centers, a women’s helpline, the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative, and the Nari Adalat.

Under the ‘Samarthya’ sub-scheme, funding is shared between the center and states at a 60:40 ratio, with a 90:10 ratio for northeastern and special category states. Union territories without assemblies receive 100% central funding.

The Minister informed members that the One Stop Centers, funded under the Nirbhaya Fund and operational since April 1, 2015, provide integrated support to women affected by violence and crises under one roof. The aim is to establish at least one OSC in every district of the country. So far, 1,033 OSCs have been approved, with 991 currently operational, assisting over 1.52 million women.

Regarding the PMMVY scheme, the Minister explained that since its nationwide implementation on January 1, 2017, a cash incentive of ₹5,000 is provided in two installments directly to the mother’s Aadhaar-linked bank or post office account for the first child. This includes ₹3,000 for pregnancy registration and at least one prenatal check-up, and ₹2,000 for delivery registration and completion of the first vaccination cycle.

Along with the benefits of the Janani Suraksha Yojana, a woman receives an average of ₹6,000. Additionally, a cash incentive of ₹6,000 is provided for a second child if it is a girl, promoting a positive outlook towards girl children.

Minister of State Savitri Thakur thanked the members for their valuable suggestions and assured them that the ministry will continue to work with states, union territories, and other stakeholders to ensure that every woman in need receives safety, protection, and empowerment services under Mission Shakti.