In a bid to woo ‘adhi abadi’ ahead of Assembly elections, Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday declared that the State will celebrate October 15 as Women’s Empowerment Day every year.
“The special day will remain a holiday for women. We have taken the decision at today’s Cabinet meeting,” he said, while unveiling the much awaited Women’s Policy of the State at a function at Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium, Hotwar, held to celebrate Women’s Empowerment Day.
Earlier, the Cabinet gave its nod to Jharkhand’s Woman Policy-2014. The policy has specific provisions for improving the life and livelihood of women in the State and measures to empower them socially, economically and educationally.
The logo of the policy was also unveiled. Social welfare department sources said a web link on the website of State social welfare website will also be launched. “It will take some time as after being approved by the Cabinet it will first be incorporated in the gazette and then formed as a website,” sources maintained.
As many as six anganwadi workers from Deoghar, Hazaribag, Ranchi, Dumka and Jamtara districts received SABlA kits from the CM. Ten representatives from self-help groups (SHGs) were given revolving fund of Rs15,000 and community investment fund (CIF) of Rs50,000 under the national rural livelihood mission. 49 SHGs will be getting the CIF amount and 59 SHGs will get the RF amount.
Ten women from the below poverty line (BPl) of the Capital were gifted saree under the Sona Sobran Dhoti-Saree-lungi Yojana. Overall 200 beneficiaries will receive similar advantages.
According to official record, 3,500 women, including anganwadi workers, sahiyaans and mukhiyas from the 24 districts witnessed the programme.
Speaking more about the recent initiatives for women, Social Welfare Minister Annapurna Devi said the State Government is in talks with the Union Minister for Social Welfare Maneka Gandhi on increasing the age of female health workers from 60 years to 62 years.
“We are mulling to extend the SABlA scheme functioning in seven districts and other adolescent empowerment programmes running in 17 districts to other districts as well. Also, we have requested the Central Government to begin the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojna in all the districts. Presently, it is restricted to two districts,” she added.
Giving a boost to the Mukhyamantri Kanyadaan Yojna started by former CM Arjun Munda, the Government has decided to grant Rs30,000 instead of Rs15,000 along with a five gram gold coin to the poor families. Highlighting the decisions for women in the medical sector, Health Minister Rajendra Prasad Singh said that 370 nurses who are to be considered as permanent staffs since 2012, will soon come under the cadre with the felicitation of certificates.
“Around 195 nurses will be recruited and 145 para-medical staffs will be absorbed as permanent staffs. Our Government is distributing 10,000 cycles to the sahiyaas. Over 10,000 cycles will soon be distributed,” said the Health Minister.