Maharashtra Government Expands Mission Shakti: Additional Districts Added to One Stop Centre Scheme
The Maharashtra government has taken a significant step towards supporting women in distress by including six more districts in the Centre's One Stop Centre (OSC) scheme under the Mission Shakti initiative. The scheme aims to provide comprehensive assistance to women facing difficult situations. The newly added districts include Nagpur, Mumbai, Thane, Chatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, and Nashik. These OSCs will offer a wide range of services such as psychological help, counseling, medical treatment, police assistance, housing, legal support, and more to women in need.
In an effort to bolster the OSC scheme, the Maharashtra government has allocated Rs. 60 lahks to each of the newly included OSCs. This financial support will aid in the provision of necessary resources and infrastructure for the effective functioning of the centres. With the addition of Nagpur and the other districts, the total number of operational OSCs in the state will increase from 36 to 42, ensuring better coverage and accessibility for women across Maharashtra.
To oversee the successful implementation of the OSC scheme in Maharashtra, the responsibility has been entrusted to Vimala R, a seasoned administrator who previously served as the Nagpur Collector and currently holds the position of Commissioner of the Women and Child Welfare Department. With her expertise and experience, Vimala R is well-equipped to ensure the smooth functioning and coordination of the OSCs across the state.
In addition to expanding the OSCs, the Women and Child Welfare Department in Maharashtra has also announced plans to establish Sakhi Nivas in all 36 districts of the state. Sakhi Nivas will serve as shelter home for women in need. The project will receive 60% of its budget from the Centre, with the remaining 40% being contributed by the state government. The allocated budget for this initiative amounts to Rs. 3,09,72,000. Sakhi Nivas will prioritize unmarried, widowed, disabled women, and women from the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, ensuring that the most vulnerable women receive the necessary support and care.
