05-August-2016 15:47 IST
Revised Working Women Hostels guidelines, 2015 Provides for
installation of CCTV Cameras in Hostels for safety of women
Since inception
of the Scheme, 926 hostels have been sanctioned all over the country creating
capacity for about 69,466 working women and 9,509 children. As per the norms of
the Scheme, financial assistance is provided to the eligible implementing
organizations such as State Government agencies and Civil Society Organizations
etc. upto 75% of the cost of construction of the hostel building for working
women on public land as per the prescribed area norms and schedule of rate of
the respective State Public Works Department. There is also a provision of
extending financial assistance for hostels to be run in rented premises.
Corporate houses or associations like CII, ASSOCHAM, FICCI etc., can also seek
financial assistance for a matching grant (50:50) for hostel building
construction on public land only. There is also a provision of one-time
non-recurring grant @ Rs. 7500/- per inmate for purchase of furniture and
furnishings. During the last three years and the current financial year, 55 new
proposals have been received from States/UTs under the Scheme and 30 new
hostels have been sanctioned.
To provide safety for single working women, a provision has been made in Scheme guidelines revised in 2015 to install CCTV Cameras in Working Women Hostels. Provision of Washing Machine and Geysers/ Solar Water Heating System have also been made in the revised guidelines of the Scheme.
Regular monitoring of the functioning of the hostel is the responsibility of the District Women Welfare Committee under the Chairpersonship of District Collector/ District Magistrate/ Municipal Commissioner. In case, implementing agency mis-utilises the financial assistance or use the hostel building for any other purpose, the Government of India through the Ministry or State Government is entitled to take over the hostel building and/ or assets created by the grant-in-aid provided under the scheme. The Criminal proceeding may also be initiated by lodging an FIR against the defaulting implementing agency, and strict legal action taken in order to recover grant with penal rate of interest as agreed in the bond furnished before the release of grant. The Scheme has been evaluated by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and recommended its continuation.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Smt. Krishana Raj in the Lok Sabha today.
