The Ministry of Women and Child Development has received a 2.5% increase in its Budget allocation for the fiscal year 2024-2025. The total budget now stands at Rs 26,092 crore, up from the previous year's revised allocation of Rs 25,448 crore.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, presenting the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha, emphasized the government's commitment to women-led development. She announced that over Rs 3 lakh crore has been allocated across various ministries for schemes benefiting women and girls.
To support women's participation in the workforce, the government plans to establish working women hostels. The SAMARTHYA sub-scheme, which supports projects like Women Hostels, Swadhar Greh, and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, has been allocated Rs 2,516 crore, slightly up from Rs 2,325 crore in the previous budget.
A major portion of the ministry's budget, Rs 25,848 crore, is directed towards centrally sponsored schemes. These include flagship programs such as Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0, Mission VATSALYA, and Mission Shakti, all aimed at improving nutrition, child protection, and women's empowerment.
Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 have been allocated Rs 21,200 crore to fight malnutrition and support early childhood care. Mission VATSALYA, focusing on child protection services, will receive Rs 1,472 crore, maintaining its previous allocation. Mission Shakti, divided into the SAMBAL and SAMARTHYA sub-schemes, has been granted Rs 3,145 crore.
The SAMBAL sub-scheme, which includes Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and One Stop Centres for women's safety, is set to receive Rs 629 crore. Additionally, funding for the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) and the Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA) has been increased.
The NIPCCD, responsible for research and training in child development, will receive Rs 88.87 crore, while CARA, overseeing child adoptions, has been allocated Rs 11.40 crore. Other key allocations include Rs 5.60 crore as India's contribution to UNICEF and Rs 500 crore for the Nirbhaya Fund, supporting initiatives to enhance women's safety and security.
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