Women to be empowered under Mission Shakti; Advisor Narula chairs UT-level committee meeting

Leh, Feb 27: The UT-level committee headed by the Advisor to the Lt Governor, Umang Narula, for the implementation of the “Mission Shakti” scheme of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, met today to review the implementation of the scheme in the UT of Ladakh.

‘Mission Shakti’ aims at strengthening interventions for women’s safety, security, and empowerment and focuses on strategies for improving convergence across Departments and at different levels of governance.

The Committee was briefed about the revised guidelines of the Scheme that came into effect from 1^st April 2022 and its two sub-schemes -‘Sambal’ and ‘Samarthya’ with sub-components One Stop Centre (OSC), Women Helpline (WHL), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), Nari Adalat, Ujjwala, SwadharGreh, Working Women Hostel, National Creche Scheme and PMMVY.

Director Social and Tribal Welfare, Amit Singh Chandel presented the Annual Programme Implementation Plan for 2022-23 and the Deputy Commissioner Leh Srikanth Suse, and Deputy Commissioner Kargil Santosh Sukhdeve briefed the Committee about the implementation status of the scheme in the respective districts.

The committee was also briefed about the status of the construction of the working women’s hostel in both districts which is being constructed under the SDP component of the UT budget and it was proposed that the operation of these Hostels shall be taken up under the Mission Shakti.

The Committee deliberated upon the various components of the Scheme and it was suggested that wherever feasible, One Stop Centres should be established within the hospital premises to provide easy access to health and legal advice as well as other required assistance to women in distress.

On the introduction of the women’s helpline, Advisor Narula said that the Helpline should be integrated with the existing ERSS number 112 which is already functional and getting calls from all sections including women as it’s easier for the populace to remember a single helpline number. Commissioner Secretary Padma Angmo informed the chair that the matter is being pursued with the Ministry for consideration.

Advisor Narulaalso stated that apart from the establishment of crèche facilities in government offices for children of women, efforts must be made towards developing such facilities for children of laborers/wagers who work at various sites across Ladakh.

Pertaining to the proposed locations for the development of crèches, Advisor Narula while approving the 06 locations at Leh, Kargil, Nubra, and Changthang stated that more such facilities must be developed after a thorough assessment of locations.

Principal Secretary Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Principal Secretary Sanjeev Khirwar, ADGP SS Khandere, Divisional Commissioner Saugat Biswas, and other concerned officials attended the meeting.