MINISTER for Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Laxmi Rajwade on Monday said that Rs 14,307 crore has been disbursed to more than 68 lakh beneficiaries under the Mahatari Vandan Yojana during the past two years in Chhattisgarh. Addressing a press conference at the Auditorium of Samvad in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, the Minister reviewed the performance of the Women and Child Development Department and the Social Welfare Department over the last two years and outlined key initiatives planned ahead.

 

She informed that e-KYC of 65,02,947 beneficiaries has been completed by the Food Department, while the e-KYC of 4,18,63 beneficiaries is being carried out by the Women and Child Development Department. The e-KYC of 69,279 beneficiaries under the Mahatari Vandan Yojana remains pending. Replying to a query, Rajwade said that the registration portal for the Mahatari Vandan Yojana would be reopened to allow eligible women to enroll under the scheme. She asserted that the department remains committed to women empowerment, health and nutrition, safety and protection of women, and strengthening basic infrastructure.

 

Under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, an amount of Rs 237.44 crore has been paid to 4,81,755 beneficiaries in the State. Highlighting progress in tackling malnutrition, the Minister said Chhattisgarh has recorded a 5.89 per cent reduction in stunting, bringing it down from 30.88 per cent to 24.99 per cent. Wasting and weakness declined by 3.45 per cent from 10.38 per cent to 6.93 per cent, while underweight cases fell by 1.89 per cent from 15.50 per cent to 13.61 per cent.

 

She further said that women were assisted in 14,376 cases through 34 Sakhi One Stop Centres in the last two years, while 8,959 complaints were resolved through women helpline 181. A total of 3,734 child-related cases were addressed through child helpline 1098. During the same period, 4,750 anganwadi centres were upgraded and buildings for 2,874 anganwadi centres were sanctioned in rural areas.

 

On the social welfare front, Rajwade said Siyan Gudi would be developed in 14 districts to provide facilities for senior citizens. The State is also preparing a Beggar Policy, along with separate policies for third gender persons and Divyangjan. Secretaries Shammi Abidi and Bhuvnesh Yadav, along with senior officers, were present.