Safety and security of women and children in the country is of utmost priority for the Government. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has enacted various special laws relating to women such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005; Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961; Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986; and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and  Prohibition of Child Marriage Act,2006 (PCMA). The Criminal Law (Amendment), Act 2013 has been enacted making the punishment more stringent for offences like rape.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing scheme of One Stop Centre to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence and a Scheme for Universalisation of Women Helpline to provide 24 hours immediate and emergency response to women affected by violence. Also, the Ministry of Finance, Government of India has set up a dedicated fund called Nirbhaya Fund in 2013, for implementation of initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and security of women in the country. Ministry of Finance (DEA) has issued guidelines by which an Empowered Committee of Officers was constituted under the Chairmanship of Secretary, WCD for appraising and recommending various schemes/projects proposed by the Ministries/Departments to be funded from the Nirbhaya Fund. The Empowered Committee of Officers, which is an inter-ministerial committee appraises and recommends various proposals/projects proposed by different Ministries/Departments/States. The concerned Ministries then take up the sanction and implementation of the schemes/proposals so appraised as they do for their other schemes/projects. This Committee regularly reviews the implementation of projects from time to time with the concerned Ministries. Under Nirbhaya fund, 16 proposals amounting to Rs.2348.85 Crores have been received so far, out of which 15 proposals amounting to Rs. 2047.85 Crores have been appraised and recommended by the Empowered Committee. The proposals so appraised are at different stages of implementation and fund is utilized as per the requirement of the project. A list of project appraised and recommended by the Empowered Committee of Officers under Nirbhaya Fund is Annexed.

Ujjawala scheme, which is a comprehensive scheme to combat trafficking, is being implemented in all over the country. The norms of the scheme have been revised effective from 01.04.2016. The Scheme is presently being implemented through the States/ UTs. During the current Financial Year, i.e. 2016-17, an amount of Rs. 14.19 Crores has been released to the States/ UTs for further disbursal to the end beneficiary/ implementing agencies for implementation of the scheme.

The Swadhar and Short Stay Homes Schemes have now been merged and revised as “Swadhar Greh”w.e.f. 01/01/2016. Swadhar Greh Scheme targets the women victims of unfortunate circumstances who are in need of institutional support for rehabilitation so that they could lead their life with dignity. The Scheme envisages providing shelter, food, clothing and health as well as economic and social security for the women victims of difficult circumstances. Swadhar Greh Scheme is a sub-scheme of the Centrally Sponsored Umbrella Scheme “Protection and Empowerment” and is being implemented through States/ UTs. Till date an amount of Rs. 22.15 Crores has been released to States/ UTs in the financial year 2016-17 for implementation of the Scheme.

List of proposals appraised and recommended under Nirbhaya Fund

This information was given by Minister of State for Women & Child Development, Smt Krishna Raj in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today

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NB/UD