Budget allocation to women, child development raised by 25%
The Centre has increased the budget allocation for Women and Child Development by about 25% to ?22,095 crore. The government has also allocated ?2,700 crore for the maternity benefit scheme which entitles ?6,000 per pregnant woman. However, the allocation for Nirbhaya fund, which includes supporting NGOs working for the safety of women, has remained constant at ?500 crore.
New Delhi, Feb 1 (PTI) The Women and Child Development Ministry received a 20 per cent increase in budget allocation this year with the total money set aside climbing to Rs 22,095 crore from Rs 17,640 crore last year. The amount budgeted for Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana saw a four times jump with Rs 2,700 crore being set aside this year as compared to Rs 634 crore in 2016-17. As per this scheme Rs 6,000 will be provided for mothers who seek institutionalised delivery and vaccination. This follows PMs announcement on New Years Eve to expand and universalise the existing maternity benefit programme. The scheme was earlier being implemented in 53 districts across the country on a pilot basis. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his budget speech also announced setting up of Mahila Shakti Kendra at village level with an allocation of Rs 500 crore for 14 lakh ICDS Anganwadi centres. Prime Minister Narendra Modis pet project "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao" has been given Rs 200 crore in this years budget, almost a five-time increase as compared to last year. 