Women & Child Department gets a boost

This year’s budget has in store a largesse for women as the government has decided to allocate Rs 400 crore for the continuation of the popular ‘Bhagyalakshmi’ scheme.

Besides, the announcement of the long-pending pension scheme for anganwadi workers and increase in salaries of women members of zilla and taluk panchayats has ensured that BJP stays in favour with the women.

The salaries of women presidents, vice-president and members of zilla panchayats will be increased to Rs 3,000, Rs 2,250 and Rs 1,500 respectively and for taluk panchayats, the slabs are Rs 2,250 Rs 1,500 and Rs 750 respectively.

Following the wild success of ‘Bhagyalakshmi’ programme, Rs 400 crore has been allocated for the distribution of bonds to 2,44,564 beneficiaries of the scheme.

While no amount has been announced, the government is firm on continuing the distribution of sarees among mothers of ‘Bhagyalakshmi’ girls.

The government, which announced the pension scheme for anganwadi workers and helpers a few days ago, also increased the salaries from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 and from
Rs 1,250 to Rs.1,500 respectively.

Only those in the age group of 18 and 55 years will be covered in the pension scheme. Anganwadi workers aged above 55 years will get a lumpsum of Rs 50,000 and helpers will get  Rs 30,000, on retirement.

The State has gone a step further and allocated Rs 100 crore to finish the incomplete Anganwadi buildings and for maintenance works.

The Karnataka State Women’s Commission, which has a head after a long gap, has received Rs five crore.

Short-term daily or weekly loans to women street vendors will now be available through the State Women Development Corporation.

The State has allocated Rs two crore for the purpose and will reach out to the women street vendors through established service organisations.

In the first phase, this programme would be started in the cities of Mysore and Shimoga.