Child Development, protection and Welfare

In order to ensure development, care and protection of children through cross-cutting policies and programmes the Ministry of Women and Child Development has undertaken various measures to spread awareness about child rights and facilitate access to learning, nutrition, institutional and legislative support for enabling children to grow and develop to their full potential.

WCD Ministry launches Bharatiya Poshan Krishi Kosh 

The Union Minister of Women and Child Development (WCD) and Textiles, Smriti Zubin Irani, along with Bill Gates, co-chair of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation launched the Bharatiya Poshan Krishi Kosh (BPKK) on November, 18, 2019 in New Delhi. The BPKK will be a repository of diverse crops across 128 agro-climatic zones in India for better nutritional outcomes.

At the behest of the Ministry of WCD the Harvard Chan School of Public Health through its India Research Center and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will document and evaluate promising regional dietary practices and the messaging around them and develop a food atlas on regional agro-food systems. Both efforts are aimed at mobilizing the diverse sectors of the society.

In consultation with Ministry of WCD and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the project team will select around 12 high focus states which are representative of the geographical, social, economic, cultural and structural diversities of India. In each of the states or group of states the team will identify a local partner organization which has relevant work experience in Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) and nutrition for developing the food atlas.

September 2019 celebrated as POSHAN Maah

POSHAN Maah was celebrated in September this year and in one month 36 million POSHAN related activities were held across the country.

During POSHAN Maah 1.3 million Anganwadi workers, 1.2 million Anganwadi helpers and state agencies reached out to 85 million beneficiaries.

Fund allocation under POSHAN Abhiyaan has increased in the last 3 years from Rs. 950.00 crore in 2017-18 to Rs. 3061.30 crore in 2018-19 and to Rs. 3400.00 crore in 2019-20.

There is no provision under the POSHAN Abhiyaan to provide nutritious food.  Providing Supplementary Nutrition is a part of Anganwadi Services scheme.  POSHAN Abhiyaan ensures convergence of various nutrition related schemes/interventions of various line Ministries.

State-wise details of fund released under POSHAN Abhiyaan during 2017-18, 2018-19 and the current year is given below:

Software and dashboard for POSHAN Abhiyaan

POSHAN Abhiyaan empowers the frontline functionaries like Anganwadi Workers and Lady Supervisors by providing them with smart phones.  ICDS-Common Application Software have been developed under POSHAN Abhiyaan which enables data capture, ensures assigned service delivery and prompts for interventions wherever required.

This data/information is then made available on web-based ICDS-CAS dashboard on a near real time basis, for monitoring, to the supervisory staff at Block, District, State and National level, for action and decision making at their end.  The dashboard displays data and provides reports on various programme areas to the administrative officers to interpret and use the information for improving service delivery.  As on 31.10.2019, a total number of 5.10 lakh Anganwadi Workers have been trained and are using the ICDS-CAS Application across 26 States/UTs as per details is given below:

(As on 31.10.2019)

The goal of Poshan Abhiyaan is to achieve improvement in nutritional status of Children (0-6 years) and Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM) in a time bound manner in next three years period beginning 2017-18 with fixed targets as under:

For achieving the above targets, Poshan Abhiyaan is to ensure convergence of all nutrition related schemes of the Ministry of Women and Child Development on the target population.  This includes convergence of Anganwadi Services, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Scheme for Adolescent Girls of Ministry of Women & Child Development; Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), National Health Mission (NHM) of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Swachh Bharat Mission of Ministry of Jal Shakti; Public Distribution System (PDS) of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution (CAF&PD), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) of Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and other programmatic interventions of Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation,  Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and  Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.  Convergence Action Plan guidelines in this regard have been issued to all the States/UTs and line Ministries.

The approved budget of Poshan Abhiyaan for a period of three years is Rs. 9046 crore. A sum of Rs. 3400 crore has been allocated for Poshan Abhiyaan for the year 2019-20.

POSHAN Anthem

Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu launched the POSHAN Anthem on 3rd December 2019. The aim of the POSHAN Anthem is to inspire people to join the movement to fight the scourge of malnutrition. Speaking on this occasion the Vice President of India congratulated Prasoon Joshi and Shankar Mahadevan, the lyricist and music composer and singer of the anthem and hoped that through this song the message of nutrition will reach each and every corner of the country. He appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Women and Child Development in using innovative tools to take the message of nutrition to all citizens of India. The Vice President also urged that the anthem may be sung in as many regional languages as possible so that it becomes a song of the people. The overriding priority of all legislators, administrators, civil society activists and citizens must be to ensure that all children of the country get the best possible childhood added the Vice President. He further said that the 1.3 million Anganwadi workers are the nutrition warriors and change agents who are at the forefront of this battle against malnutrition. He hoped that the song will become an anthem and lead to a nutrition revolution to transform India in to a malnutrition free country by 2022.

Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO)

Section 28 of the POCSO Act 2012 provides for establishment of Special Courts for the purpose of providing speedy trial. Further, Section 35 of the POCSO Act provides that the evidence of the child shall be recorded within a period of thirty days of the Special Court taking cognizance of the offence and reasons for delay, if any, shall be recorded by the Special Court. Further, Section 35 also lays down that the Special Court shall complete the trial, as far as possible, within a period of one year from the date of taking cognizance of the offence.

The Government of India has taken the following steps to ensure speedy dispensation of justice:

In furtherance to The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, the Government has finalized a scheme in August, 2019 for setting up of total of 1023 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) across the country for expeditious trial and disposal of pending cases pertaining to rape and POCSO Act, 2012, in a time-bound manner under Centrally Sponsored Scheme. The Scheme is for one year spread over two financial years i.e.2019-20 and 2020-21.

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 was enacted for effective deterrence against sexual offences. Further, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 was enacted to prescribe even more stringent penal provisions including death penalty for rape of a girl below age of 12 years. The Act also inter-alia mandates completion of investigation and trials within 2 months each.

A “National Database on Sexual Offenders” has been launched on 20th September, 2018 to facilitate investigation and tracking of sexual offenders across the country by law enforcement agencies.

An online analytic tool for police called “Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences” has been launched on 19.02.2019 to monitor and track time-bound investigation on sexual assault cases in accordance with the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018.

In order to improve investigation, steps have been taken to strengthen DNA analysis units in Central and State Forensic Science Laboratories. This includes setting up of a State-of-the-Art DNA Analysis Unit in Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh.

Guidelines have been notified for collection of forensic evidence in sexual assault cases and the standard composition in a Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit. A total number of 6023 officers have been trained by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) and Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science. BPR&D has distributed 3,120 Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits to State Governments/UT Administration as orientation kit as part of training.

A scheme namely Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) has been approved under which an online cybercrime reporting portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) has been launched on 20th September, 2018 to enable public to report complaints pertaining to child pornography/ child sexual abuse material, rape/gang rape imageries or sexually explicit content.

Women empowerment and protection

Empowered women living with dignity and contributing as equal partners in development in an environment free from violence and discrimination; and, well-nurtured children with full opportunities for growth and development in a safe and protective environment

Promoting social and economic empowerment of women through cross-cutting policies and programmes, mainstreaming gender concerns, creating awareness about their rights and facilitating institutional and legislative support for enabling them to realize their human rights and develop to their full potential.

Strengthening of AHTUs & WHDs in States Across the Country

The Empowered Committee (EC) under Nirbhaya Framework, chaired by Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, recommended setting up of Anti-Human-Trafficking-Units (AHTUs) at the cost of Rs. 100 crores for safety and security of women and girl victims of trafficking.

100% cost of setting up of these AHTUs has been recommended to be borne by the Central Government under Nirbhaya Fund as per the MHA proposal. The EC has also suggested that psycho-social counselling and legal counselling and aid should be made available through these AHTUs to the beneficiaries.

The EC also recommended setting up of Women Help Desks (WHDs) in Police Stations in all States and UTs at cost of Rs. 100 crores to be funded 100% by the Central Government under Nirbhaya Fund. WHDs will be gender sensitive desks for grievance redressal of women through the policing system, as well as catalysts for improved community interaction of the police with focus on crime against women and children. The desks will also help create a conducive atmosphere for distressed women and girls to approach the police stations without any hesitation and fear.

The EC has suggested that these WHD should preferably be headed by women police officers not below the rank of Head Constables, and preferably by women officers not below the ranks of JSI or ASI. Further, training, orientation and sensitization of both men and women police officials working at or in relation to WHDs at police stations, should also be taken up.

Presently, WHDs have been approved for ten thousand police stations. However, the EC has suggested that the facility may be expanded to all the police stations in the country over a period of time or in phases.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana Reaches One Crore Beneficiaries 
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), a flagship scheme of the Government for pregnant women and lactating mothers has achieved a significant milestone by crossing one crore beneficiaries. The total amount disbursed to the beneficiaries under the scheme has crossed Rs. 4,000 crores.

PMMVY is a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme under which cash benefits are provided to pregnant women in their bank account directly to meet enhanced nutritional needs and partially compensate for wage loss. Implementation of the scheme started with effect from 01.01.2017. Under the ‘Scheme’, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM) receive a cash benefit of Rs. 5,000 in three instalments on fulfilling the respective conditionality, viz. early registration of pregnancy, ante-natal check-up and registration of the birth of the child and completion of first cycle of vaccination for the first living child of the family. The eligible beneficiaries also receive cash incentive under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). Thus, on an average, a woman gets Rs. 6,000.

One Stop Centre (OSC) Scheme

Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) has been discontinued on 31st March 2017.  The One Stop Centre (OSC) Scheme provides a range of services including police facilitation, medical aid, psycho-social counselling, legal counselling and temporary shelter to women affected by violence in an integrated manner under one roof. So far 728 OSCs have been sanctioned and 595 OSCs have started operations. The details of approved OSCs, operational OSCs and funds released to OSCs are given below:

Recognizing the need to prevent women from exploitation and to support their survival and rehabilitation, the scheme of Short Stay Home for women and girls was introduced as a social defence mechanism, by the then Department of Social Welfare in 1969.

The scheme is meant to provide temporary accommodation, maintenance and rehabilitative services to women and girls rendered homeless due to family discord, crime, violence, mental stress, social ostracism or are being forced into prostitution and are in moral danger. Another scheme with the similar objectives namely Swadhar was launched by the Department of Women and Child Development in 2001-02 for women in difficult circumstances.  The scheme through the provisions of shelter, food, clothing, counselling, training, clinical and legal aid aims to rehabilitate women in difficult circumstances. Centre for Market Research and Social Development, New Delhi conducted an evaluation in 2007 to assess the performance of both the schemes. The evaluation report while citing the effectiveness and positive impact of measures adopted under the schemes for counselling and rehabilitation found that the profile and category of residents, admission procedure, counselling, quality of service, vocational training, rehabilitation and follow up procedure are almost similar in both the schemes. It, therefore, recommended merger of these two schemes for better functioning and outcomes with lesser administrative burdens and procedures. There were total number of 307 Short Stay Homes and 311 Swadhar Grehs functioning in the year 2013-14.

The Guidelines and SOP for the OSCs have been circulated to all the States/ UTs and districts for effective implementation of One Stop Centre (OSC) scheme. Awareness generation programmes related to One Stop Centre scheme are conducted by State Governments/ UT Administrations from time to time.

Nirbhaya Fund

Government of India has set up a dedicated fund called Nirbhaya Fund for implementation of initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and security of women in the country. Under the Nirbhaya Fund, the proposed projects should have the features like direct impact on safety and security concerns of women, optimum use of existing infrastructure, innovative use of technology, no duplication of existing government schemes/ programmes, provision for real time intervention as far as possible. strict privacy and confidentiality of women’s identity and information and defined monitoring mechanism.

The Central Ministries/Departments, States/UTs, Autonomous and other Government Bodies can submit proposals as per the prescribed procedure. As per the guidelines issued by Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Women and Child Development is the nodal authority for appraisal of the schemes/proposals received under Nirbhaya Fund. An Empowered Committee of officers (EC) under the Chairpersonship of Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development has been set up for appraising various schemes/ projects proposed to be funded from the Nirbhaya Fund.

The States/UTs-wise details of funds sanctioned/ allocated and utilized for the projects being implemented by various Ministries/ Departments out of Nirbhaya Fund are given below:

Ministry of Home Affairs

State/UT-wise details of the total funds sanctioned/allocated & utilized for Nirbhaya funded Projects.

(In Rs. Lakh)

*The CVCF has been released as one-time grant to States/UTs to support and supplement the Victim Compensation schemes in respective States/UTs and expenditure from this fund is allowed to States/UTs after consuming non-budgetary resource with them. The utilization certificate in respect of Safe City projects and Strengthening of State Forensic Laboratory are not due.

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways

State/UT-wise details of the total funds sanctioned/allocated & utilized for Nirbhaya funded Projects.

(In Rs. Lakh)

Department of Justice

State/UT-wise details of the total funds sanctioned/allocated & utilized for Nirbhaya funded Projects.

 (In Rs. Lakh)

Ministry of Women and Child Development

1.     Mahila Police Volunteer Scheme - under the Scheme on proposals of 12 States have been submitted and approved. The details of fund released and utilized in respect of those 12 States are as under:

(In Rs. Lakh)

2.  One Stop Centre Scheme (OSC)

(In Rs. Lakh)

3.  Universalization of Women Helpline Scheme

(In Rs. Lakh)

4.  Other States/UTs projects

(in Rs. lakh)

The Empowered Committee in the Ministry of Women and Child Development   in its meeting held on 22.10.2019 has appraised a project of Ministry of Home Affairs under Nirbhaya Fund for setting up/ strengthening of Women Help Desks in Police Stations in States/UTs at a cost of Rs. 100.00 crore.

States/UTs-wise utilization of funds released for Cyber Crime Prevention against Women & Children (CCPWC) Scheme are given below:

States which have utilized funds in respect of CCPWC Scheme

(in Rs. Lakh)

Sexual Harassment electronic–Box (SHe-Box)

Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India has developed an online complaint management system titled Sexual Harassment electronic–Box (SHe-Box) for registering complaints related to sexual harassment at workplace by women, including government and private employees. Once a complaint is submitted to the SHe-Box portal, it directly reaches to the concerned authority having jurisdiction to take action in the matter.

A total number of 203 cases have been disposed of so far which includes cases under Central Government, State Government and Private sector.

The SHe-Box portal has been developed with the objective to facilitate the registration of complaints related to sexual harassment of women at workplace.

The details of number of sexual harassment complaints received from private/ public entities through SHe-Box in States/UTs since 2017 are as under:

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