Maha Govt to constitute ‘Gender Budget Cells’ to effectively implement welfare schemes of women and children

Mumbai, November 21: Looking at the snail speed regarding the functioning of welfare schemes which are specially meant for women and children, now Maharashtra government set to constitute ‘Gender Budget Cells’ for facilitating the coordination amongst other departments. 

Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar announced the setting up of Gender Budget Cells. The inter-departmental committee would be set up among the concerned department to ensure better effective implementation of various schemes.

Further Mungantiwar said that a nodal officer would be appointed in each administrative department to monitor the implementation of the schemes of WCD.

“The cell shall be responsible for coordination between various departments and must ensure quality and effective implementation of the schemes. Besides this the Cell while evaluating the schemes, it shall also pay attention to how best to improve its outcome,” he added.

“By drawing up a Gender Budget statement, it should not result in just change in figures of allocation, but should also ensure there is qualitative change and empowerment of women.” He added, “Besides providing social security, the women should be made self-reliant.

Besides, evaluating quality improvement, the culture of evaluation should also take root in the administration.” Sources in the department said that at least 30% of allocations in various schemes of WCD like animal husbandry are earmarked for women.

Pankaja Munde, Minister for Women and Child Welfare, stated that besides developing the culture of evaluation, the concept of ‘Innovative Spending’ should also grow.