National Creche Scheme

Ministry of Women and Child Development implements the National Crèche Scheme for the children of working mothers as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme through States/ UTs with effect from 01.01.2017 to provide day care facilities to children (age group of 6 months to 6 years) of working mothers.

Highlights

    • The Scheme provides an integrated package of the following services:

        ◦ Day care facilities including sleeping facilities.

        ◦ Early stimulation for children below 3 years and pre-school education for 3 to 6 years old children

        ◦ Supplementary nutrition (to be locally sourced)

        ◦ Growth monitoring

        ◦ Health check-up and immunization

    • As per the guidelines of this scheme, the concerned States/ UTs undertake survey based analysis of the requirement of crèche services at the district level.

    • During the period from FY 2017-18 till date a sum of Rupees: 4,10,13,960.00 (four crore ten lakh thirteen thousand nine hundred sixty only) for 1724 creches have been released to Uttar Pradesh under the scheme.

    • Government gives utmost priority to ensuring gender equality in all spheres of life and has taken several steps to ensure that women do not face any gender based disadvantage.

    • Some of the steps taken by the Government in this direction as well as for increasing the participation of women in the economy include the following:

    1. Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme: The scheme aims to facilitate inter-sectoral convergence of schemes and programs meant for empowerment of women both at the central and State/UT level.

    2. SwadharGreh Scheme: The Scheme caters to women victims of unfortunate circumstances in need of institutional support for rehabilitation, so that they can lead their life with dignity.

    3. Ujjawala Scheme: It is a comprehensive scheme for prevention of trafficking of women and children for commercial sexual exploitation, as well as for facilitating rescue, rehabilitation and re-integration of victims in to their families and society as needed.

    4. Working Women's Hostel Scheme: This scheme promotes availability of safe and conveniently located accommodation for working women, with day care facility for their children, wherever possible, in urban, semi-urban, and even rural areas, where employment opportunities for women exist.

    5. Anganwadi Services: The Scheme envisages setting up of Anganwadi centers across the country for children and caters to the pre-school education, nutrition of children and lactating mothers.

    6. POSHAN Abhiyan: The scheme aims to reduce mal-nutrition/ under nutrition, among young children and women from the country in a phased manner.

    7. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) Scheme: The Scheme provides cash incentives amounting to Rs.5000 in 3 installments to pregnant and lactating mothers.

    8. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Objective of the scheme is to celebrate the girl child by preventing gender biased sex selective elimination, ensuring survival protection, education, and participation.

    9. Home for Widows : A Home for Widows has been set up in Vrindavan, UP to provide widows a safe and secure place to stay and live their lives with dignity.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants. The views expressed here are personal.)