The Government of India is administering the following schemes for welfare of women including the single mothers;
(i) Swadhar and Short Stay Homes to provide accommodation to women in difficult circumstances.
(ii) Working Women Hostels for which funds are given for construction of Hostel for ensuring safe accommodation for working women away from their place of residence.
(iii) Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP) to ensure sustainable employment and income generation for marginalized and asset-less rural and urban poor women across the country.
(iv) Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) extends micro-finance services to bring about the socio-economic upliftment of poor women.
(v) National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW) has been set up with the aim to strengthen the overall processes that promote all-round Development of Women.
(vi) Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme for Children of Working Mothers (including single mother) provides day care facilities for running a crèche of 25 children in the age group 0-6 years from families having monthly income of less than Rs.12, 000.
Apart from these, the following other schemes are also being implemented:-
(i) Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme under which pension is provided to a widow in the age group of 40-64 years and living below poverty line.
(ii) Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme under which pension is provided to persons above sixty five years of age belonging to BPL including women.
(iii) MGNREGA, under which willing persons including women are entitled to 100 days guaranteed employment during a year;
(iv) Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is also administering an Integrated Programme for Older Persons which is being implemented since 1992 with the objective of improving the quality of life of senior citizens including women by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care etc.
This was stated by Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister for Women and Child Development, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.
