Government of India has approved Mahila Shakti Kendra scheme for the period 2017-18 upto 2019-20 to empower rural women through community participation.   Community engagement through College Student Volunteers is envisioned in 115 most backward districts as part of the Block Level initiatives and during FY 2017-18, 50 most backward districts to be covered (8 blocks per district).  

Annual budget for block level activities is Rs 35.36 lakh per block. New District Level Centres for Women have also been envisaged for 640 districts to be covered in a  phased manner (220 districts during FY 2017-18, 220 more in 2018-19 and remaining 200 in 2019-20). These centres will serve as a link between village, block and state levels in facilitating women centric schemes and also give foothold to BBBP at the district level. The annual budget for each District Level Centre for Women is Rs 12.30 lakh.  

This information was given by Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Dr.Virendra Kumar in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

AKR/NG/SKK

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