Question : Hostels for Working Women

(a) Whether the Government is implementing Working Women Hostels Scheme and if so, the salient features thereof;
(b) the number of hostels sanctioned and presently operational in the country particularly in Delhi and NCR, State/UT-wise;
(c) the number of proposals received by the Government under the scheme for construction of hostels in the country along with the number of proposals approved/lying pending and the funds sanctioned, released and utilised thereunder during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;
(d) whether the Government monitors the working conditions and occupancies in already constructed hostels and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the further measures taken by the Government to ensure proper implementation and judicious utilisation of funds under the scheme along with construction of the hostels as per the demand to meet growing need of working women in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

(a) : Yes Madam, Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing Hostels for Working Women Scheme since 1972-73. The Scheme aims at providing safe and affordable accommodation to working women. These hostels have Day care facility for the children of inmates too. As per the norms of the Scheme, financial assistance is provided to the eligible implementing organizations such as State Government agencies and Civil Society Organizations through concerned State Government. The cost sharing ratio amongst the Central Government, States/ UTs (other than NE and Himalayan States) and Implementing Agencies is 60:15:25 for construction of building for Working Women Hostel/ running hostel in rented premises. For NE and Himalayan States, the ratio is 65:10:25. Corporate houses or associations like CII, ASSOCHAM, FICCI etc., can also seek financial assistance for a matching grant


(b) : (50:50) for hostel building construction on public land only. There is also a provision of one-time non-recurring grant @ Rs. 7500/- per inmate for purchase of furniture and furnishings.

(c) : Since its inception in 1972-73, 961 hostels have been sanctioned under the scheme all over the country. Total No. of hostels in Delhi and NCR is 20. State/UT wise list of sanctioned working women’s hostels is at Annexure I.

(d) : During the last three years and the current financial year, 65 new proposals have been received under the Scheme and 45 new hostels have been sanctioned as per details given in Annexure-II. State/UT-wise details of fund released under the scheme during the last three years and current year is as per details given in Annexure-III.

(e) : Yes, regular monitoring of the functioning of the hostel is the responsibility of the District Women Welfare Committee under the Chairpersonship of District Collector/ District Magistrate/ Municipal Commissioner.

(f) : Ministry has written letter to all States/UTs to monitor timely completion of all the sanctioned working women hostels in respective States/UTs including their occupancies. The Ministry has also requested to all State Governments to increase working women hostels in their States.



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