Bengaluru: The State Budget proposes to allocate Rs.17.50 crore to start 250 new anganwadi centers in urban areas and 100 mobile anganwadi centres/creches in areas of working of construction labourer to take care of their children at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore.
“Child protection is an essential priority of the Government. In this direction to implement child protection schemes effectively a separate directorate of child protection is proposed,’’ the chief minister said.
To improve efficiency of 2503 Anganwadi supervisors in the department it is proposed to provide interest free loan of Rs.50,000 for purchase of scooters to through Karnataka Women Development Corporation.
“An amount of Rs.1,000 per month will also be given for fuel expenses. It is proposed to conduct a survey to measure nutrition level of the children of Anganwadis in the State,’’ he said.
The Budget also proposes to upgrade 1,000 buildings of Anganwadis under Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Tribal Sub Plan. Rs.20 crore is earmarked for this purpose. Rs.1 crore will be provided to NGOs at divisional level to establish Ashraya Centre to provide care and protection to HIV/AIDS infected women who are neglected by their families and societies.
“Rs.1 crore grant will be provided for coaching/training in English, Law, Sports, Fine Arts, preparation for Competitive Examinations and provide training in Skill Development required for livelihood to children residing in Juvenile Homes and Observation Homes. Rs.3 crore grants will be provided to convert Juvenile Courts functioning in selected 10 districts into child friendly courts,’’ he said.
Under “Udyogini Scheme” for special category and general category women, the maximum limit of loan will be increased from Rs.1 lakh to 3 lakhs, subsidy at 30% of the loan amount, income limit of the family to Rs.1.5 lakh and age limit for all categories will be increased from 45 to 55 years.
The budget proposes to increase monthly pension from 2018-19 by Rs.200 to differently abled persons with more than 75% disability and to the differently abled persons with less than 75% disability, monthly pension will be increased by Rs.100. 8.46 lakh differently abled persons will be benefitted by this and an additional grant of Rs.146 crore will be earmarked. A grant of Rs.1.80 crore for each of the four revenue divisions will be provided to establish professional training centre on experimental basis to train the mentally challenged adults and to engage them in professional activities to aim for inclusive growth as per the United Nations 2030 Development Agenda.
“Our Government will provide 4% of reservation in group A and B posts to persons having disability as per the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act, 2016. Our Government has already reserved 5% in group C and D posts. Further, our Government will provide the following facilities for the differently abled persons as per the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act, 2016,’’ he said.
The Budget allocates Rs.2 crore grants to build a positive mindset about women, safe atmosphere for women and spread awareness about gender amongst Government employees/Community Policing Volunteers/Resident Welfare Association, students of schools and colleges, especially to boys.
“A grant of Rs.1 crore will be provided to commence a comprehensive information resources portal for women to communicate essential information relating to schemes, facilities and amenities for women. It is proposed to start transit hostels for women coming to Bengaluru for the purposes of interview for employment, entrance examination etc., with the assistance of voluntary organizations/private partnership,’’ he said.
To promote women entrepreneurs, the budget proposes to give preference in public procurements (catering, housekeeping, solid waste management in the local areas of the cities, etc.) for Self Help Groups/Representative of Women Entrepreneurs.
“In 2018-19, an outlay of Rs. 5,371 crore has been provided to Women and Child Welfare Department,’’ he said.
