WOMEN WELFARE SCHEMES AND INITIATIVES OF HIMACHAL PRADESH GOVERNMENT
In our society women has been given a special place since ages. In the present day women are progressing more and proving their mettle in every arena whether it be education, politics, health, govt. jobs,corporate world, and agriculture or household jobs.Women empowerment is the prerequisite of any progressive society and no nation can claim development by denying the basic rights and opportunities to their majority population. Owing to customary male dominance and lack of equal opportunities in political, social and economic spheres of life, the women have been exploited since long and have lag behind their counterparts. Although, increase in enrolment of girls in education institutions have helped to raise literacy rate but declining child sex ratio and increasing crime rate against women is a serious concern. Women are facing similar problem in all parts of country but hill states women have different challenges due to antiquated customs, social taboos and tough terrain and geographical conditions. 
Himachal Pradesh government has been honoured at the national level for its excellent steps and programmes undertaken for the empowerment of women In Himachal. Women in Himachal are employed in vocational jobs; education of females in rural areas has taken an edge in Himachal Pradesh. Earlier the women who used to be busy with household work are now working in anganwadis, handlooms, learning sewing, weaving etc. The Himachal government is giving a serious concern towards the upliftment of the women in the society like education, funds to widows and poor women, strict punishments against female infanticide etc. The result of all these initiatives by Himachal government towards growth of women in society has made Himachal to top the list among all the other states in terms of empowerment of women. A survey done by India’s renowned magazine and electronic channel revealed that Himachal excels in working for women empowerment and has been awarded as the ‘Diamond State’ award. Himachal Pradesh has come out to be the first state in the nation in which 50 % reservation is given to the women in Panchayati Raj institutions and other urban jobs. Moreover, all the Panchayat in Himachal Pradesh having large female population are provided with extra fund of Rs. 5 lacs for the progress and empowerment of women.
Himachal Pradesh has been honoured with the prestigious 'Diamond State Award' for its tremendous work on the upliftment and empowerment of the women in Himachal. Several schemes have been started by Himachal Pradesh in the last three years(2008- 2010) keeping in view the welfare of widows, divorced women, destitute and below poverty line women in Himachal. When it comes to empowerment of women, Himachal leaves behind many states in the country. The key objective of the Himachal government has always been the welfare and growth of poor, downtrodden and women of the state. Growth of all these people will certainly help in the overall growth and development of the state. Himachal Pradesh government has started various schemes and programmes for the welfare, benefit and empowerment of women in Himachal Pradesh.
Women Welfare Schemes of Himachal Government
Welfare Schemes for Empowerment of Women in Himachal:
BetiHaiAnmolYojana: Under this Yojana, for all the families lying below the poverty line in Himachal and having one or two girls, a sum of Rs. 5100 will be deposited in the name of girls at the time of their birth. Moreover, to help in the education of such girls, scholarship ranging from Rs. 300 to Rs. 1500 will be given to them from class I to class XII.
MukhayaMantriBalUdharYojana: Under this Yojana, Himachal govt. Decided to provided free education, accommodation, professional guidance and several other essential facilities to the orphans whether a girl or a boy.
MukhayaMantriKanyadaanYojana: Under this Yojana, the daughters of below poverty line families or widows or destitute were given a sum of Rs. 11,001 for their marriage by Himachal govt. Widows Pension Incremented in himachal: Earlier, the widows in Himachal were given a monthly pension of Rs. 200 which was increased to rs. 330.
Himachal Pradesh mahilavikas protsahan yojana : Under the scheme, a state level award for the persons/organisation working for the development and empowerment of women in the field of health, education, sports, social services and art and culture, is granted.
Mata Shabari MahillaSashktikarnYojana : Under this scheme LPG Gas connection is provided to the women who belong to BPL and SC family or whose income does not exceed rupees 35,000 per annum. For the purchase of LPG gas connection subsidy of Rs. 1300/- per beneficiary is provided by the Govt.
Self Employment Assistance for women In this scheme women are granted rupees 2500 for establishing any project or venture who have annual income not more than 35,000 per annum.
State Home For women : State home is meant for housing destitute, widow and the women who are in moral danger. Department is running one state home at Mashobra in Shimla Distt. These inmates get free residence and free diet. For their rehabilitation they get various skill trainings in the state home so that after leaving the state home they can earn and be rehabilitated. After leaving the state home department provides grant of Rupees 20,000 per inmates for her rehabilitation.
Mother Teresa AsahayaMatriSambalYojana: under this Yojana, the women who are helpless in upbringing their children (like widows, destitute) are provided with financial assistance of Rs. 3000 per child for two children.
Vishesh mahila uthaan yojna : The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in a criminal appeal No.135,2010 titled Buddha DevKarmaskar& state of West Bengal, had issued direction to Union Of India and all the states and Union territories to formulate schemes for rehabilitation of physically and sexually abused women through technical and vocational training. In pursuance of the decision of Hon’ble supreme court of India. A scheme namely “VISHESH MAHILA UTHAAN YOJNA” has been implemented in the State by the department vide Dated 18/08/2011 and women are provided vocational training under this scheme in selected ITI’s of the State.
Women Welfare Schemes of Himachal Government
MukhyamantriKanyadaanYojana: 90% of the Himachal population lives in the rural areas and many have to earn their livelihood from the meagre pieces of land and some do not possess that even. For such poor families it is very difficult to spend thousands on the wedding of their daughters. Under MukhyamantriKanyadaanYojana, Himachal govt. will provide a sum of Rs. 11,001 for the marriage of girls in poor families. The MukhyamantriKanyadaanYojana, was not just a misnomer but in 2008-09 around 1056 marriages were done with the sum provided by this scheme and about 1.16 crore of total money was spent.
Mother Teresa MatriSambalYojana: It becomes very difficult for widows and poor women to uplift their children and provide them food, shelter, necessary education etc. In order to provide financial relief to such poor mothers who are finding difficulty in the upbringing of their children, Mother Teresa MatriSambalYojana started by Himachal government benefitted them a lot. Such poor and weak mothers having children below 14 years of age were given a sum of Rs. 2000 by Himachal government under Mother Teresa MatriSambalYojana. Under Mother Teresa MatriSambalYojana, about 1.07 cores were given for the upbringing of about 13060 children.
BalikaSamridhiYojana: Under BalikaSamridhiYojana, for the girls belonging to the Below Poverty Line Families (BPL), a sum of Rs. 500 will be deposited in their name in the bank till they attain 18 years of age.
Financial assistance & support service to vicitm of rape SCHEME -2012 Rape is one of the most violent forms of crimes against women, which not only impact her bodily integrity but in the long run, impairs her capacity to develop meaningful personal and social relationships, and affects her life and livelihood. The victim of rape suffers mental and psychological trauma, which must be addressed so that she is able to lead a dignified and meaningful life. Under this scheme State Government is providing Rs. 75,000/- for support and other related services to the victims which in exceptional circumstances can be increased to Rs. One Lakh.
Indira Gandhi BalikaSurakshaYojana: Under Indira Gandhi BalikaSurakshaYojana, the families adopting the family planning after the birth of first female child will be given a sum of Rs. 25,000 and those adopting family planning after the birth of two female children will be given a cash of Rs. 20,000.Himachal Pradesh government has always been industrious when it comes to women empowerment or to provide services to the women. Yet moving a step ahead, health department of Himachal Pradesh has launched a free of cost transportation service to the pregnant women to the hospital for delivery on 15th September, 2010. Either taxi or ambulance will be provided by the health department for carrying the pregnant women to the nearest medical hospital. Under this scheme, pregnant women of any category can avail this free transport facility to the hospitals for delivery.
Another important feature of this scheme is that the person accompanying the pregnant women will be allowed to enter inside the labour room and build the confidence of pregnant women during delivery. Earlier only doctors were allowed to enter the labour room and no relatives of the pregnant women. This will surely help to get rid of the cases of infants being kidnapped or exchanged and will also avoid unskilled deliveries.
This cash less delivery scheme will be soon available in 75 medical hospitals in Himachal Pradesh. Earlier, the scheme was planned to be launched on 15th August, 2010 but was postponed and launched on 15th September, 2010. This scheme will be launched in district hospitals Nahan, Poanta Sahib, Dadahu, Shillai, Sarahan, Rajgarh and Nohradhar initially and later in other prominent health institutions of Himachal Pradesh.
Widow Re-marriage Scheme The objective of the scheme is to rehabilitate the widows. In this scheme Rs. 50,000 grant is providing to widow, on her remarriage.
MukhyaMantriKanyadanYojna In this scheme girls who are orphan or whose father is physically/Mentally incapacitated or bed ridden can get rupees 25,000 grant for their marriage if their parents annual income is not more than rupees 35,000 per annum.
Another Initiatives :
Himachal Pradesh state commission for women : Upon enactment of National Commission for Women Act, 1990, the Women Commissions were established through out the Country including National Commission for Women (NCW). Upon this development, the Government of Himachal Pradesh enacted an Act namely H.P. State Commission for Women Act, 1996In the mean time, the Commission was abolished by the State Government and later on, it was again established on dated 8th March 1999.
1.The main mandate of the commission as per H.P State Commission for Women Act,1996 is to improve the status and dignity of women in society, to investigate into and take or suggest suitable measures against practices derogatory to women, to effectively monitor and implement laws affecting women and to advice the State Government.
2. The commission's mandate also includes investigation and examination of all matters relating to the safe guards provided for women under the constitution and other laws. The commission is enjoyed to make recomendations for effective implementation of safe guards , which are necessary for improving the condition of women in the State.
3. The commission is promoting women's rights , for gender equality and the empowerment of women in state .
4. This Commission also facilitates the participation of civil society representatives.
Reservation in Political Bodies: Women of Himachal have been provided with 50% reservation in the political bodies like Panchayati Raj institutions and Urban Local Bodies in the State. This has definitely helped the women to come forward and explore themselves.
MahilaVikas Nigam : Objective of Mahila Vikas Nigam is to provide self employment to the women by providing loan on subsidised interest rates.
Conclusion :
Himachal Pradesh Government has taken a number of steps to empower women in every sphere of life. For improving sex ratio, the State Government has started schemes of cash incentive for protection of female child. A scheme of awarding gram panchayats for recording favourable sex ratio has been initiated and some panchayats have already been rewarded under the scheme. Both motivational and punitive methods have been started.
In spite of many good initiatives, the journey of women empowerment is not that smooth in hill state like Himachal due to difficult geographical conditions. However, involvement of common citizen at various level can make a big difference. Intervention of common citizen and NGOs for effective implementation of existing schemes is essentially required. Old outdated customs and social taboos which are creating hindrances need to be broken. The change in societal attitude is essential for ensuring their empowerment. Unless women are not given economical benefits along with social and political opportunities, the women empowerment will be a distant dream.