Issues and Challenges. Programmes and policies for the welfare of differently-abled persons, Women and children and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of the State.in Himachal Pradesh
Schemes Relating to Children
Integrated Child Development Services Scheme
Under this scheme department is providing Nutrition to the pregnant, Lactating mothers, adolescent girls and children of 6 month to 6 year. Pre School Education is being provided to the children of age group of 3 to 6 years. Objective of the schemes are:
- Nutrition and Health Education
- Immunisation
- Supplementary nutrition
- Health Check up
- Pre School Education
- Referral Services
Child/Women Related Acts
- Child Marriage Prohibition Act 2006.
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.2005.
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act. 2012 (POCSO)
- Prevention of Sexual Harassment of women at work places 2013
- Juvenile Justice Act. 2006
- Himachal Pradesh Marriage Registration Act. 1996.
Welfare Schemes for Empowerment of Women in Himachal Pradesh
Reservation in Political Bodies
Women of Himachal have been provided with 50% reservation in the political bodies like Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies in the State. This has definitely helped the women to come forward and explore themselves.
Beti Hai Anmol Yojana
Under this Yojana, for all the families lying below the POVERTY line in Himachal and having one or two girls, a sum of Rs. 5100 will be deposited in the name of girls at the time of their birth. Moreover, to help in the education of such girls, scholarship ranging from Rs. 300 to Rs. 1500 will be given to them from class I to class XII.
Mukhaya Mantri Bal Udhar Yojana
Under this Yojana, Himachal govt. Decided to provided free education, accommodation, professional guidance and several other essential facilities to the orphans whether a girl or a boy.
Mukhaya Mantri Kanyadaan Yojana
Under this Yojana, the daughters of below Poverty Line families or widows or destitute were given a sum of Rs. 11,001 for their marriage by Himachal govt.
Widows Pension Incremented in himachal
Earlier, the widows in Himachal were given a monthly pension of Rs. 200 which was increased to rs. 330.
Mother Teresa Asahaya Matri Sambal Yojana
under this Yojana, the women who are helpless in upbringing their children (like widows, destitute) are provided with financial assistance of Rs. 2000 per child for two children.
State policies for persons with disabilities
Persons with Disability (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, provides for medical facilities, education, EMPLOYMENT, creation of barrier free Environment, social security etc. The State Government is instrumental in implementing the various provisions of the Act. The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (SJ&E) is the nodal Department for coordinating and facilitating the implementation of the Act. To give impetus to the implementation of the Act, a State Level Coordination Committee under the Chairpersonship of the Hon’ble Minister (Social Justice & Empowerment) has been constituted. This committee is being supported by the State Executive Committee to review and formulate the strategy for implementation of different provisions of the Act in coordination with different departments.
The State Policy is based on the vision of having an inclusive and non disabling Society where every person with disability is mainstreamed into society. It provides a framework for the Government to create an enabling environment to achieve this. It seeks to remove barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from participating fully in society. This policy statement attempts to cover the range of barriers experienced by the persons with disabilities – public attitudes, Human Rights, employment and educational opportunities and provides a framework for developing strategies and action plan for removing those barriers enabling their participation in the society.
For the purpose of achieving the vision of mainstreaming the Persons with Disabilities the following components are envisaged in the Policy:
- Prevention of Disabilities
- Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities
- Enabling Environment for the Persons with Disabilities
Tribal Development Policies and Programmes in Himachal Pradesh
The founding fathers of the Indian constitution were aware of their problems. Therefore, they made special provisions for their protection and development. The main safeguards include promotion of educational and economic interests and their protection from injustices and all forms of exploitation. The constitution protects the general rights of all Indian citizens to move freely, settle anywhere and acquire property. It also permits the States to make reservation in public services in case of inadequate representation and requiring them to consider their claims in appointments to public services. The constitution provides special representation for the STs in the Lok Sabha and State legislative Assemblies till 25th January, 2010 ((ARTICLE 330, 332, and 334) and enjoins the setting up of separate departments in the States and National Commission at the Centre to promote their welfare and safeguard their interests (Art. 224, fifth and Sixth Schedules) and grant‐in‐aid to the States to meet the cost of such schemes of development as may be undertaken by them for prompting the welfare of the Schedule Tribes or raising the level of Schedule Areas (Art. 275 (1) are also guaranteed. Latter on with a view to effectively deal with the crimes against the Scheduled Tribes two special laws, viz., Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1995 and the Scheduled Castes, Schedules Tribes (prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 were enacted.
Until the Fourth Five year Plan, like other states, very little attention was paid to tribal development in Himachal Pradesh. However, from the Fifth Five Year Plan onwards, a new strategy, i.e. tribal sub – plan approach was adopted. The basic purpose of this strategy was to have separate and identifiable physical and financial programmes for tribes and the tribal areas. The allocations so worked out in the tribal sub‐ plan were non‐ divertible to other areas.
For this purpose, the tribal areas were divided into two categories:
- The area having Higher than 50 per cent tribal Population, and
- areas which have dispersed tribal population.
In the case of the former, and area specific development approach was adopted, whereas in case of the latter, a family based approach of development was considered suitable. In pursuance of this policy, all areas with mire than 50 per cent tribal population were placed under tribal sub‐ plan.
For each tribal sub‐division, the state government introduced the nucleus budget scheme. It was decided the nucleus budget so provided will be used only for contingency planning of the respective tribal sub‐ division, and the funds will be spent for such schemes as are of local importance and for which adequate normal and specific would generate flexibility and initiative for development work and remove some of the bottlenecks inherent in planning.
To further minimise the bottlenecks, single line administration approach was adopted. Every district officer posted in tribal areas was put under the direct control of the Deputy Commissioner. To ensure people’s participation, a Tribal Advisory Council was constituted in 1978, the recommendations of which were to be considered while formulating policies for tribal development. Not only this, the government also constituted Project Advisory Committees in all five tribal sub‐regions. This Committee, among others, comprises the members of Legislative Assembly, Members of Parliament of the concerned area, district heads of departments, progressive farmers, and representatives of entrepreneurs, local bodies and important institutions. The Deputy Commissioner is the Chairman of the Committee. The Committee is entrusted with the task of looking after both the formulation and implementation of the tribal sub‐plan.
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Himachal Pradesh is a state in India that is located in the northern part of the country. It is bordered by the states of Jammu and Kashmir to the north, Punjab to the west, Haryana to the southwest, Uttarakhand to the south, and Uttar Pradesh to the southeast. The state has a population of over 7 million people and its capital is Shimla.
Himachal Pradesh is a mountainous state with a diverse landscape. The northern part of the state is home to the Himalayas, while the southern part is home to the Shivalik Hills. The state has a number of rivers, including the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, and Chenab.
Himachal Pradesh is a popular tourist destination. The state is home to a number of hill stations, including Shimla, Manali, and Dalhousie. The state also has a number of temples and monasteries, including the Naina Devi Temple, the Hadimba Temple, and the Tabo Monastery.
Himachal Pradesh is a developing state. The state has a number of challenges, including poverty, Unemployment, illiteracy, and health problems. However, the state is also making progress in addressing these challenges. The state has a number of programs and policies in place to improve the lives of its people.
Some of the issues and challenges that Himachal Pradesh faces include:
- Poverty: According to the 2011 census, the poverty rate in Himachal Pradesh was 11.9%. This means that over 1 million people in the state live below the poverty line.
- Unemployment: The unemployment rate in Himachal Pradesh is 2.7%. This is lower than the national Average of 3.5%, but it is still a challenge for the state.
- Illiteracy: The Literacy rate in Himachal Pradesh is 82.8%. This is higher than the national average of 74%, but there are still a significant number of illiterate people in the state.
- Health: The health Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE in Himachal Pradesh is not very good. There are not enough hospitals and clinics in the state, and the quality of care is often poor.
- Infrastructure: The infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh is also not very good. The roads are often in bad condition, and there is a lack of electricity and water supply in many parts of the state.
- Social Exclusion: Social exclusion is a major problem in Himachal Pradesh. There are a number of groups in the state that are marginalized, including women, children, and people with disabilities.
Despite these challenges, Himachal Pradesh is making progress in addressing them. The state has a number of programs and policies in place to improve the lives of its people. Some of these programs and policies include:
- The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995: This act provides for equal opportunities and protection of rights for people with disabilities.
- The National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities: This trust provides financial assistance and other support to people with disabilities.
- The Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA): This scheme aims to provide quality secondary education to all children in the age group of 14-18 years.
- The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): This scheme aims to provide free and compulsory education to all children in the age group of 6-14 years.
- The National Commission for Women (NCW): This commission is responsible for protecting the rights of women in India.
- The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR): This commission is responsible for protecting the rights of children in India.
- The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): This scheme provides a package of services to children under the age of six and their mothers.
- The Mahila Samakhya Programme: This programme aims to empower women through education, training, and awareness-raising.
- The National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC): This corporation provides financial assistance to Scheduled Castes entrepreneurs.
- The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC): This corporation provides financial assistance to Scheduled Tribes entrepreneurs.
- The Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP): This plan aims to promote the development of Scheduled Tribes areas.
- The Special Component Plan (SCP): This plan aims to promote the development of Scheduled Castes areas.
These programs and policies are helping to improve the lives of people in Himachal Pradesh. However, there is still a lot of work to be done. The state needs to continue to invest in education, health, infrastructure, and social welfare programs. It also needs to address the issue of social exclusion.
Issues and Challenges
- Poverty: Himachal Pradesh is a relatively poor state, with a per capita income of just over $2,000. This means that many people in the state live below the poverty line, and struggle to meet their basic needs.
- Lack of education: The literacy rate in Himachal Pradesh is just over 80%, which is lower than the national average. This means that many people in the state do not have the skills they need to get good jobs and improve their lives.
- Poor infrastructure: The infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh is not very good. This makes it difficult for people to get around, and can also make it difficult for businesses to operate.
- Corruption: Corruption is a major problem in Himachal Pradesh. This can make it difficult for people to get things done, and can also lead to the misallocation of Resources.
Programmes and policies for the welfare of differently-abled persons, women and children and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of the State
The Government of Himachal Pradesh has a number of programmes and policies in place to promote the welfare of differently-abled persons, women and children, and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. These programmes and policies include:
- The Himachal Pradesh Disabled Persons’ Welfare Act, 1983: This act provides for the welfare of differently-abled persons in the state. It includes provisions for education, employment, and rehabilitation.
- The Himachal Pradesh Women’s Development Corporation Act, 1986: This act provides for the development of women in the state. It includes provisions for education, employment, and empowerment.
- The Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Act, 1986: This act provides for the development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the state. It includes provisions for education, employment, and empowerment.
In addition to these specific programmes and policies, the Government of Himachal Pradesh also has a number of general programmes and policies that benefit all citizens of the state. These include programmes such as the Public Distribution System, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the per capita income of Himachal Pradesh?
The per capita income of Himachal Pradesh is just over $2,000. This means that many people in the state live below the poverty line, and struggle to meet their basic needs.What is the literacy rate in Himachal Pradesh?
The literacy rate in Himachal Pradesh is just over 80%, which is lower than the national average. This means that many people in the state do not have the skills they need to get good jobs and improve their lives.What is the infrastructure like in Himachal Pradesh?
The infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh is not very good. This makes it difficult for people to get around, and can also make it difficult for businesses to operate.What is the level of corruption in Himachal Pradesh?
Corruption is a major problem in Himachal Pradesh. This can make it difficult for people to get things done, and can also lead to the misallocation of resources.What are some of the programmes and policies that the Government of Himachal Pradesh has in place to promote the welfare of differently-abled persons, women and children, and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes?
The Government of Himachal Pradesh has a number of programmes and policies in place to promote the welfare of differently-abled persons, women and children, and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. These programmes and policies include the Himachal Pradesh Disabled Persons’ Welfare Act, 1983, the Himachal Pradesh Women’s Development Corporation Act, 1986, and the Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Act, 1986. In addition to these specific programmes and policies, the Government of Himachal Pradesh also has a number of general programmes and policies that benefit all citizens of the state. These include programmes such as the Public Distribution System, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.
Question 1
Which of the following is not a programme or policy for the welfare of differently-abled persons in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) The Himachal Pradesh Persons with Disabilities Act, 2013
(B) The Himachal Pradesh Accessible Public Buildings Rules, 2015
(C) The Himachal Pradesh Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2016
(D) The Himachal Pradesh Persons with Disabilities Welfare Fund Rules, 2017
Answer
(D) The Himachal Pradesh Persons with Disabilities Welfare Fund Rules, 2017
The Himachal Pradesh Persons with Disabilities Welfare Fund Rules, 2017 is not a programme or policy for the welfare of differently-abled persons in Himachal Pradesh. It is a rule that provides for the establishment of a fund to be used for the welfare of differently-abled persons in the state.
Question 2
Which of the following is not a programme or policy for the welfare of women and children in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) The Himachal Pradesh State Commission for Women Act, 1998
(B) The Himachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2001
(C) The Himachal Pradesh Women Development Corporation Act, 2002
(D) The Himachal Pradesh Child Development Project Scheme, 2003
Answer
(D) The Himachal Pradesh Child Development Project Scheme, 2003
The Himachal Pradesh Child Development Project Scheme, 2003 is not a programme or policy for the welfare of women and children in Himachal Pradesh. It is a scheme that provides for the provision of services to children in the state.
Question 3
Which of the following is not a programme or policy for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) The Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Act, 1983
(B) The Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Sub-Plan Rules, 1984
(C) The Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Hostel Rules, 1985
(D) The Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Scholarship Rules, 1986
Answer
(D) The Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Scholarship Rules, 1986
The Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Scholarship Rules, 1986 is not a programme or policy for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Himachal Pradesh. It is a rule that provides for the award of scholarships to students belonging to these communities in the state.