(a) whether the Government has announced setting up of Mahila Shakti Kendra at village level and if so, the details and objective thereof;
(b) the States in which such Kendras have been set up or proposed to be set up under pilot project;
(c) the allocation made and released/utilised for the said purpose so far; and
(d) the reaction of the Government in regard to setting up of such kendras throughout the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVLOPMENT
(DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)
(a) Government of India has recently approved a new scheme “Mahila Shakti Kendra” meant for empowering rural women through community participation. Community engagement through Student Volunteers is envisioned in 115 most backward districts as part of Mahila Shakti Kendra block level initiative. Student volunteers will play an instrumental role in awareness generation regarding various important government schemes/ programmes as well as social issues. Under Mahila Shakti Kendra new District Level Centre for Women (DLCW) has also been envisaged for 640 districts (to be covered in a phased manner) for facilitating women centric schemes of the government and for giving a foothold to BBBP scheme.
(b) During the current FY ie. 2017-18, Block Level initiatives under Mahila Shakti Kendra to be implemented in 50 most backward districts covering five states namely Assam (07 districts), Bihar (13 districts), Chhattisgarh (10 districts), Jharkhand (19 districts) and Manipur (01 district).
(c) As per the Budget announcement for the year 2017-18 an allocation of Rs. 500.00 crore was made for Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme, However, no expenditure has been incurred under Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme.
(d) Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme will provide an interface for rural women to approach the government for availing their entitlements and for empowering them through training and capacity building. The student Volunteers engaged under the scheme will serve “agents of change” and have a lasting impact on their communities and the nation.
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