Question : PROTECTION OF WIDOWS RIGHTS

(a) the mechanism put in place by the Government to identify the number of widows /orphans/destitute/neglected persons along with the details of such persons in the country, State/UT-wise;

(b) the details of schemes/programmes being run by the Government for welfare and rehabilitation of such persons;

(c) whether the Government proposes to review the said schemes/programmes and ifso, the details thereof;

(d) the details of the funds sanctioned and released under the said schemes/programmes alongwith its utilization reported by the States/UTs during the current year;

(e) whether the Government also proposes to bring out a legislation for protection of rights of the said persons and to ameliorate their living conditions in the country; and

(f) if so, the details thereof alongwith the time by which such legislation is likely to be enacted?

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

(a) Office of the Registrar General, India conducts decadal Population Census wherein data on widows is collected. The data on orphans/destitute/neglected person is not available from Census. The last Census was conducted in 2011 and the previous one in 2001. Census 2011 data on widows is not yet released.

A statement giving State-wise figures of widows as per Census 2001 in the country is at Annexure I.

(b): The Government in the Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing a shelter based rehabilitation scheme ‘Swadhar” for women in difficult circumstances. The beneficiaries include widows deserted by their families and relatives and left uncared near religious places where they are victims of exploitation; women prisoners released from jails; women survivors of natural disasters; women victims of terrorist/extremist violence and similarly placed women in difficult circumstances, who do not have any family support and without any economic means for survival. The beneficiaries are provided with primary need of shelter, food, clothing, counseling, medical and legal aid as also skill upgradation for economic rehabilitation. 311 Swadhar Shelter Homes are functioning across the country .

Another shelter based scheme ‘Short Stay Home’ is being implemented by the Central Social Welfare Board under which 24 hours residential temporary accommodation, maintenance and rehabilitative services are provided to women and girls rendered homeless due to family discord, crime, violence, mental stress, social ostracism etc. 322 Short Stay Homes are functioning across the country.

Both these schemes are implemented mainly through the Non-Governmental organizations.

(c) A proposal to bring these programmes under an ‘Umbrella Scheme for Protection and Development of Women’ is under consideration of the Government.

(d) The details of funds released to the implementing agencies under Swadhar and Short Stay Home schemes in the current year are given in Annexure II

(e) No, Madam.

(f) Does not arise.