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SOCIAL WELFARE

INTRODUCTION

The Social Welfare and ICDS Programme under implementation in this district plays a major role in providing adequate services to the children within the age group of 0 to 6 years, before and after birth and during the period of growth to ensure their physical, social, mental and cognitive development. It also works in the areas of taking care of pregnant women and nursing mothers, old, infirm, disabled, destitutes, blind and orphan children. Emphasis is also given for prevention of fatal diseases like Diphtheria, Portusis, Tetanus, Poliomyelitis, Measles, night blindness and Malaria among the children and mothers through mass immunisation and NHED by the health and ICDS staff to reduce the IMR and MMR in the community.

PROGRAMMES UNDER OPERATION IN THE DISTRICT

1. WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE CHILDREN

1.a. Integrated Child Development Services.

In pursuance of national policy for children the scheme of I.C.D.S. was lunched in 33 projects in India an experimental basis in Oct/1975.

I.C.D.S. plays a vital role in providing essential services to the children within the age group of (0-6 ) yrs . before & after birth & during the period of growth to ensure their physical , social, mental and psychological development in an integrated manner. It also works in the area of taking care of fatal diseases like diphtheria, protocis, tetanus , poliomyelitis, measles, night blindness and malaria among the children and mother through immunization.

In order to achieve the objectives of ICDS the following packages of services are being delivered through the ICDS Projects.

1. Supplementary Nutrition
2. Immunization
3. Health Check-Up
4. Referral Services
5. Nutrition and Health Education
6. Non-formal Pre-school Education

At present all the eleven blocks are covered under ICDS.

1.b. Orphanages

The aim of the scheme is to provide care, protection, and education for the neglected orphan and destitute children. Four orphanages are running in this district supported by Women and Child Development Department by the following NGOs.

1. 1.Nilachal Seva Pratisthan, Kanas: 100
2. 2.Acharya Harihara Sishu Bhawan, Satyabadi: 50
3. 3.Draupadi Mahila Samiti, Uttarahana: 25
4. 4.Utkal Balashram, Puri: 50

2. WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE WOMEN

2.a. Short Stay Home

The main objectives of the scheme are to rehabilitate and protect those women who are facing exploitation, family problems, mental strain and other causes. This scheme is implemented in this district through the voluntary organizations supported by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India through Women and Child Development Department. At present the following three Short Stay Homes are running.

1. 1.Nilachal Seva Pratisthan, Kanas: 30
2. 2.Association for Voluntary Action, Delang: 30
3. 3.Nilachal Nari Seva Samiti, Puri: 30

2.b. Working women’s Hostel

To provide hostel facility with free of cost for workingwomen who are living below poverty line. As per guideline 75% of the cost of construction and 50% of the cost of land is provided by the Govt. The building is to be completed within 24 months of the receipt of the 1st installment. There are two WWHs are functioning in this district.

2.c. Income Generation activities through Mahila Mandal

The ICDS activities is to provide opportunity towards the all round development of children necessitated the active involvement of women/mothers in the ICDS Programme.Mahila Mandal has been formed in all AWCs. Which aims to seek the help of Women and to make them aware about their economic, social and cultural status in the society through income generation scheme.

 

2.d. Mission-Shakti

Government of Orissa have resolved to constitute a Self-Help Mission for empowerment of Women for consolidating the existing Self-Help Groups and facilitating organization of new Self-Help Groups. This mission will be called “Mission-Shakti”

Objective of the Mission:

To facilitate creating of conducive environment through self-help act.

To expand the self-help movement in Orissa

Creating of self-help mission by Government of Orissa towards enabling environment for women’s empowerment.

To develop quality SHG in the State

To strengthen the quality of the existing SHGs in Orissa

To build cluster associations at block level, Federation of clusters at the district level and network of federation at the State level.

To provide institutional capacity building support to strengthen the SHG movement in the State

Capacity building at every level in the State

Developing a built-in monitoring system right from the SHG level.

Establishing and setting up a supportive MIS at every level.

Identifying agencies in each area/region as nodal agency responsible for overall SHG strengthening process and accountable for the desirable results to the Self-Help Mission.

At present 2833 Self Help Groups are functioning having 47143 members with a deposit of Rs. 1,15,32,597.

 

3. WELFARE SERVIVES FOR THE HANDICAPPED

3.a. Orissa Disability Pension:

A destitute person who is totally blind, mentally retarded and person affected by cerebral palsy, orthopaedically handicapped, visible sign of deformity, loss of limbs due to leprosy, thereby rendering him incapable of doing normal work, is eligible for pension from the age of 5 years and above. The rate of pension is Rs. 100/- per month. At present 1793 nos. of persons are being benefited.

3.b. Scholarship to the disabled Students:

In order to encourage handicapped students and bring them within educational field and to assist them to secure such education academic, technical or professional training as would enable them to earn their livelihood for which Govt have made provision for award of scholarship.

3.c. Self-employment scheme for Handicapped persons.

This scheme is under operation in this district in urban areas from the year 1986-87 enabling a handicapped person to be economically self-reliant. Rs.8000/- is given to one person to start business as assistance.

3.d. Special aids for disabled:

Special aids are being supplied to the physically handicapped and other disabled persons with the assistance of ALIMCO/DRC/NIRTAR with the income group of Rs. 5000/- per month. The tricycles, wheal chair, hearing aids, artificial limbs, blind stick are being given on the recommendation of the specialist in the fitment camp.

3.e. Special School for the blind deaf and dumb children.

The blind, deaf and mentally retarded children are neglected by their parents as well as by the society. So these children requires special attention to live like a human being in the society. There are total 10 nos. of Special schools are running in Puri District covering 290 nos. of students.

3.f. Vocational Training for Disabled persons

The aims of the scheme is to provide training for rehabilitation of the disabled persons.

4. SOCIAL SECURITY FOR THE OLDER PEOPLE

4.1. Old Age Pension / Widow pension:

This scheme has been introduced for destitutes who are above the age group of 60 years old irrespective or caste and creed. There is no such age bar for the widows. This scheme was launched in the year 1975. The rate of pension is Rs. 100/- per month is given to each beneficiary. At present 16,264 beneficiaries are being benefited under the scheme.

4.2. Old Age Home

The aims of the scheme is to provide shelter, protection, nutrition and refreshment to old age persons. Five Old Age Homes @ 25 persons in each center are running in Puri district managed by NGOs supported by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India. At present 6 nos. of Old Age Homes are functioning in this district.

4.3. Day Care Center

The aims of the scheme is to provide nutrition and refreshment to aged persons. In this district 14 Day Care Centers managed by the NGOs are presently running supported by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India, through Women and Child Development Department, Orissa. At present 5 nos. of Day Care Centers are functioning in this district.

4.4. National Social Assistance Programme .

4.4.1. National Old Age Pension (NOAP)

The Govt. of India have implemented one scheme namely National Old Age Pension scheme. This scheme has been introduced for destitutes who are above the age group of 60 years old irrespective or caste and creed. There is no such age bar for the widows. The rate of pension is Rs. 100/- per month is given to each beneficiary. At present 12643 beneficiaries are being benefited under the scheme.

4.4.2. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)

This scheme was introduced by Govt. of India w.e.f. 15.8.95. It is also one of the basic scheme under NSAP. Family below poverty line shall be financially assisted on death of main bread earner of that family observing the following eligibility.

• He/she must be primary bread earner of the family.
• He/she must be below poverty line
• He/she must be 18 to 64 years of age.

There are two types of assistance. Rs.10,000/- is sanctioned in case of accidental death and Rs.5,000/- in case of death by natural cause. The benefit under NFBS in case of death by natural cause has been raised from Rs.5,000/- to Rs.10,000/- w.e.f. 1.8.1998 by Govt. The legal heir shall be claimant to this scheme. Till date 2517 families have been benefited.

 

4.4.3. National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS)

This scheme was introduced by Govt. of India w.e.f. 15.8.95.It is one of the important scheme under NSAP. Main features of this scheme is that any pregnant lady above the age of 19 coming under below poverty line shall be assisted an amount of Rs.300/- at a time for her first and/or second pregnancy. The benefit under NMBS has been raised from Rs.300/- to Rs.500/- w.e.f. 1.8.1998. till date 23,579 mothers have been benefited in this scheme.

5. World Food Programme(WFP)

The nursing, expectant mothers and children below 6 years of age are considered as most vulnerable section of the society generally suffer from malnutrition. Govt. have undertaken this programme to supplement the eligible groups through AWCs./ Mahila Samities. WFP (Indiamix/CSB) food stuffs are being provided @ 2 Kg.per beneficiary per month as take home basis and double ration to the pregnant women , nursing mother and malnourished children. So far 55,600 beneficiaries are covered under this scheme.

6. Mid-day Meal Programme :

This programme was introduced by the Govt. w.e.f. 1.7.95 with a view to give a boost for universalisation of primary education by increasing enrollments, reduce school drop out and to increase nutritional status of the students. MDM programme is running through 1367 primary schools and 1,69,064 numbers of students are benefited by MDM programme in Puri. The provision of hot cooked meal has been discontinued with effect from 1.7.2001 and dry ration i.e. rice is given to the student @ 3 Kgs. per month.

 

7. BALIKA SAMRIDHI YOJANA

Govt of India has launched a new scheme for the girl child on 15th August 1997 for those who are living below poverty line. Till date 2473 mothers have been benefited.

8. Centally Sponsored Scheme “Annapurna”:

Govt. of India have recently launched a new scheme namely “ANNAPURNA” for ensuring food securities for the aged, destitutes of the state. As per Government provision those indigent senior citizens who are eligible to be benefited under NOAP Scheme but not yet been covered, will be the beneficiaries under the said scheme. Each beneficiary will be benefited of getting 10 kgs.of food grains per month at free of cost. 2672 beneficiaries are benefited under the scheme.