Dimapur, Dec. 17 (EMN): The government publicity agency the department of Information and Public Relations (IPR) gave on Monday a feature about the Social Welfare department’s activities and its various programmes in Wokha district.
The department of Social Welfare was established in 1968 with the purpose of implementing welfare programmes for the uplift of the weaker sections of the society. Currently, child welfare programmes, welfare programmes for senior citizens and for persons with disabilities are being implemented in Wokha district for the benefit of child, women, and the poor and needy.
For child welfare, the Anganwadi services, the erstwhile Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), are a flagship programme of the government of India. It represents one of the world’s largest and unique programmes for early childhood and offers care schemes and development opportunities. Beneficiaries of the scheme are children of the age group of 0-6 years, and pregnant women and lactating mothers. There are 5 integrated child development projects in the district covering 22,575 beneficiaries through 358 Anganwadi centres.
The package of services that are provided through the ICDS are supplementary nutrition, pre-school non-formal education, nutrition and health education, immunization, health check-up besides referral services.
Some of the services are provided in collaboration with the Department of Health through the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and similar health systems. Each ICDS project is in charge of a child development project officer who is assisted by supervisors for the implementation of the scheme.
Anganwadi workers are assisted by a helper who looks after the activities of each Anganwadi centre. Besides the delivery of the package of services, Anganwadi workers conduct regular health and nutrition education at the centres and homes, among other activities.
National Nutrition Mission
The National Nutrition Mission scheme for ‘holistic nourishment’ is being implemented in Wokha district. The objective of the scheme is to address nutritional deficiencies in children of the age group of 0-6 years, pregnant and lactating mothers to reduce low weight, malnutrition and prevalence of Anemia through advocacy and information, educational and communications platforms. This mission is based on real time monitoring to ensure targeted and timely intervention of the scheme, the IPR stated.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana was launched in 2007. The objective of the scheme is to improve the health and nutrition status of pregnant women and lactating mothers and infants. A sum of INR 5000 in three instalments is directly credited into the bank account of the beneficiaries to provide partial compensation for wage loss in terms of cash incentives so that women can take adequate rest before and after delivery of their first child. As of now 1, 318 beneficiaries are enrolled in the scheme, the IPR stated.
Welfare programme for senior citizens
The National Social Assistance Programme is funded by the ministry of Rural Development. The department of Social Welfare implements the four schemes namely the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme, and the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension scheme.
National Family Benefit scheme
Through this scheme, assistance in a lump sum will be given to the bereaved household in the event of the death of the bread-winner. The family benefit will be paid to surviving members of the deceased. However, the death of breadwinners should have occurred while they are at the age of 18 to 59 years.
Welfare programme for persons with disabilities
Financial assistance to persons with disabilities: Financial assistance of INR 300 per month per head is provided to the needy persons with disabilities. Altogether 323 persons are covered by the scheme.
Financial assistance to visually challenged persons: This scheme is financial assistance to visually challenged people. A sum of INR 300 is provided to 167 visually impaired persons as of now in Wokha district.
Scholarship: Students with disability who are from class-A to VII are provided with a scholarship of INR 300 per month. Currently, the benefit is being extended to five students in the district, the IPR stated.