Ensure WCD Schemes Reach All Eligible Women and Children: Aruna Mahajan

Dharamshala, October 8: Himachal Pradesh Saksham Gudiya Board Vice-Chairperson Aruna Mahajan directed officials to ensure that the benefits of Women and Child Development Department schemes reach every eligible and needy woman and child in a timely manner.

Chairing a review meeting of WCD schemes in Kangra, Mahajan stressed effective monitoring at the grassroots level and stronger awareness activities in rural areas. She also called for better coordination among police, health, social justice and other departments in cases concerning the safety and protection of women and children.

She said 165 cases received through the One Stop Centre and 131 cases through the Women Helpline have been resolved in Kangra. Of these, legal assistance was provided in 77 cases, psychosocial counselling in 55, police assistance in 31 and temporary shelter in one case.

Reviewing the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, Mahajan noted that the district’s sex ratio at birth improved from 925 in 2023-24 to 938 in 2025-26. She also said 50 Anganwadi-cum-Creche centres are functioning in the district, providing services to 294 children of working women.

Under the Chief Minister Sukh-Aashray Scheme, 746 children are currently receiving benefits, with around Rs 9.54 crore provided under various components so far. Under the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana, 5,163 children aged up to 18 years are receiving assistance, with more than Rs 4.34 crore distributed.

Mahajan also reviewed the Chief Minister Kanyadan, Chief Minister Shagun, Indira Gandhi Sukh Suraksha and other welfare schemes, directing officials to strengthen implementation and ensure that no eligible beneficiary is left out.