The Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Manipur, organised the second session of its “Meet the Press” series today at the DIPR Auditorium, Nityaipat Chuthek, Imphal. The session featured officials of the Social Welfare Department, who highlighted the department’s major welfare initiatives and upcoming programmes.
The department was represented by Sheikh Abdul Hakim, Director, Social Welfare; Jiteshwar Keisham, Joint Director; N. Binobala, Joint Director; K. Saroja, Deputy Director and L. Dhaneshwar, Deputy Director.
Addressing media persons, Sheikh Abdul Hakim stated that the Social Welfare Department is one of the State’s major implementing agencies for Centrally Sponsored Schemes, with around 22 sub-schemes being implemented through financial assistance from various Central Ministries.
He said that under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the department is implementing several flagship programmes, including the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), under which around 2,400 Anganwadi Centres are functioning across Manipur to provide nutrition, healthcare and pre-school education to children, besides extending support to pregnant and lactating mothers.
He further informed that the department is implementing Mission Shakti, a comprehensive women empowerment programme, and Mission Vatsalya, which focuses on child protection through the Juvenile Justice Act. The programme supports the functioning of Juvenile Justice Boards, Child Welfare Committees, Children’s Homes, Observation Homes and other Child Care Institutions across the State.
Highlighting schemes under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Hakim said the department manages homes for persons with intellectual and other disabilities, operates 25 De-addiction Rehabilitation Centres with 100 per cent Central assistance, and oversees 41 Old Age Homes, including 25-bedded and 50-bedded facilities, fully funded by the Ministry.
Speaking on women’s welfare, he said Shakti Sadan, implemented under Mission Shakti, provides shelter, food, clothing, counselling and rehabilitation support for up to three years to women in distress, including survivors of domestic violence, physical assault, sexual assault, mental abuse and other crimes. At present, 47 Shakti Sadan centres are functioning across Manipur.
He also appealed to women facing violence or other related issues to make use of the 181 Women Helpline, a toll-free emergency service that facilitates timely assistance and support.
The Director further stated that the department is implementing Sakhi Niwas (Working Women’s Hostel) to provide safe and affordable accommodation for working women and women pursuing higher education. The scheme is funded in the ratio of 90 per cent by the Central Government and 10 per cent by the State Government. Presently, 51 Sakhi Niwas hostels are operational across the State.
Citing an upcoming instance of the Department reaching out massive welfare measures to beneficiaries, Shri Hakim informed that the Hon’ble Chief Minister will distribute welfare benefits worth approximately Rs. 104 crore under various social welfare schemes on the 20th of this month. He said the department has undertaken a 15-day intensive campaign to ensure eligible beneficiaries complete the necessary documentation, including Aadhaar Card, Income Certificate and Ration Card, achieving nearly 99.9 per cent coverage.
He said that around 1,07,082 beneficiaries will receive assistance under the Manipur Old Age Pension Scheme, while 13,599 beneficiaries will benefit under the Chief Minister Widow Pension Scheme, which provides a monthly pension of Rs. 500 to eligible widows aged 40 years and above, including HIV-positive widows aged 18 years and above. He added that the Ima Nungthang Leima Scheme also extends benefits to widows, divorced women, separated women, single women, transgender women and other economically vulnerable women.
On disability welfare, Hakim stated that the department provides scholarships for students with disabilities, unemployment allowance for educated unemployed persons with disabilities, maintenance grants for persons with severe disabilities and other welfare assistance based on the degree of disability.
He also urged persons with disabilities to obtain the Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card, which enables access to various welfare benefits. He informed that the department, in collaboration with the Health Department, is conducting intensive disability surveys and medical certification camps across all Assembly Constituencies to facilitate the issuance of disability certificates and UDID cards to all eligible persons.
