Question : MAHILA SAMAKHYA PROGRAMME

(a) whether Mahila Samakhya Programme is in operation in all the States of the country;

(b) if not, the reasons therefor alongwith the norms laid down by the Government for selecting a State for the Programme

(c) whether any mechanism has been set up by the Government to monitor the progress of Mahila Samakhya Programme;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Mahila Samakhya Programme has been able to achieve its intended objectives; and

(f) if not, the reasons therefor alongwith action taken in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT(SHRI ARJUN SINGH)

(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.382 FOR 23.08.2005 REGARDING MAHILA SAMAKHYA PROGRAMME ASKED BY SHRI KRISHNA MURARI MOGHE

The Mahila Samakhya (MS) programme is being implemented in 9 States of the country viz. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal.

Mahila Samakhya is a programme for education and empowerment of women. It was launched in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka in 1989. The State Governments willingness to implement, support and sustain the programme is an important criteria for initiating the MS programme. From the Xth Plan period the programme is targeting educationally backward blocks in the country.

Periodic State and National evaluations are undertaken. Regular review of programme progress are held from time to time at State and Government of India levels also.

The National Evaluation of the Mahila Samakhya Programme in 2005 indicates that overall, it has had a positive impact on empowerment of rural women.