GUWAHATI:The Assam government on Friday announced the launch of several women empowerment and child welfare central schemes in the state.
Social Welfare Minister Akon Bora, speaking to reporters here, said schemes for women empowerment and nutrition, child welfare and assistance to disabled are being launched in the state also.
He announced the launch of the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahayog Yojana under which a BPL pregnant woman above 21 years of age will receive cash assistance of Rs 4,000 for the first two children.
This is in addition to Rs 2,400 that is already given to pregnant women of BPL families for nutritional purposes.
A completely centrally funded scheme, it is being started in Kamrup and Goalpara districts and will be extended to cover all districts soon, the minister said.
Mr Bora also announced the launch of Rajiv Gandhi Kishori Sabalikaran Yojana or Sabla, under which teenaged girls of BPL families, aged 11-18 years, will be given nutritional support and vocational training.
The scheme is being started in eight districts at present and will be extended to the entire state soon, he added.
Under the scheme, the Centre will provide all funds for the nutrition component, while the Centre and state will equally share the expenses in the non-nutrition part.
For child welfare, the government will construct shelter homes and implement all provision of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme, especially targeted at rehabilitation of children with criminal backround and homeless children, Mr Bora said.
He added that destitute homes will also be soon constructed at all headquarter towns, while Guwahati will have eight such homes.”An old age home at Sonapur, will be built,” he added. (UNI)