Social Welfare Department

Women Development Corporation,Bihar

Women Development Corporation, Bihar was incorporated on November 28, 1991 under Society Registration Act 1860. It's registered office is located in Patna while it's area of operation extends to all 38 districts of Bihar.

A large part of the activities of the corporation are conducted through selected Non-Governmental Organisations and other training institutions. Funds are obtained from Government of Bihar and Government of India through budgetary allocations for specific projects and covered by sanctions through Government Orders.

The business of the Corporation is conducted through a Board of Directors appointed by the Government of Bihar. The Board of Directors consists of following Nine ex-officio members:

1. Principal Secretary to Government, Social Welfare Department.
2. Director of Social Welfare.
3. Secretary Finance or his representatives not below the rank of Joint Secretary.
4. Director Industries, Bihar or his representative not below the rank of Addl. Director.
5. A lady member of the IAS, not below the super time scale (Principal Secretary, Tourism Department).
6. Three representatives of the members / member societies / member cooperation to be elected by in accordance with the Election rules framed by the corporation.
7. The Managing Director of the Corporation

Vision:Improvement in the Quality of lives of poor and disadvantaged women and adolescents in the state of Bihar.

Mission:

1. To build capacity of poor and disadvantaged women to create their own institutions in order that they are enabled to break down social, economic, cultural and psychological barriers and thereby facilitate their full development into empowered citizens.
2. To reach out to all the poor families in 38 districts of Bihar with focus on SC/ST, Physically handicapped and destitute women for social, economical and political empowerment.
3. To create or reorient democratic economic and social processes and institutions to enable poor women to participate fully and actively in decision making in the family and community and at local district, state and national level.
4. To advocate changes in government policies and programmes in favor of disadvantaged women.
5. To empower and sensitize the community for creating an enabling environment in order to bridge the gap of gender inequality and ensure the human rights.

Objectives:

1. Capacity Building through training programmes.
2. Promote Literacy among women.
3. Undertake research and documentation activities.
4. Organized and nurture Self Help Groups.
5. Promote federations which can do financial intermediation and meet the capital needs of SHGs for undertaking livelihood activities.
6. Provide margin money support to women.
7. Undertake marketing and production related activities.
8. To empower and build women's institutions like SHGs/VO/BLO which ensures that the process of empowerment is self sustaining.
9. To provide support mechanisms for bringing women into the mainstream.

   Directorates

   The Department of Social Welfare (DoSW) became an independent department on the subject of Women and Child Development on April 1, 2007. The key mandate of the Department is the protection of the interests and rights of women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities, with focus on the marginalised sections of society.

   There are three directorates under the Dept. of Social Welfare:

   Directorate of Social Welfare
   Directorate of Social Security & Disability
   Directorate of ICDS

   Directorate of Social Welfare

   The Directorate of Social Welfare (DSW) is the nodal body for co-ordination and implementation of all policies, legislations and programs related to the protection of children and the welfare and empowerment of women in the State. Specifically, the Directorate is responsible for activities related to:

   1. Enforcement of rights, development and welfare of women and children.
   2. Implementation of provisions of State legislations, rules and guidelines concerning women and children.
   3. Formulation of Rules and Guidelines in ratification of national policies and legislations as well as its enactment in the State.
   4. Setting up mechanisms for care, protection and rehabilitation of children in need of care and protection as well as juveniles in conflict with law.
   5. Ensuring Social, Economic and Cultural empowerment of women.
   6. Working towards eradication of the caste system.
   7. Implementation of Programs for the Welfare and Empowerment of Transgender people.

   Initiatives for Children:

   The Directorate implements programs to protect and promote the rights of children through institutional and service delivery mechanisms as mandated by the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act and the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), which provides a comprehensive umbrella for child protection services. The Directorate also implements the following schemes and programs:

   1. Mukhya Mantri Kanya Vivah Yojana.
   2. Mukhya Mantri Kanya Suraksha Yojana
   3. Rajiv Gandhi Creche Scheme for Children of Working Mothers.
   4. Childline - A 24 hour emergency phone-line outreach service for children in distress.
   5. Programmes to combat human trafficking.

   Within the legislative framework of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act of 2000 and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children), Amendment Act, 2006, the Directorate of Social Welfare has created a State Child Protection Unit (SCPU) at the State level and District Child Protection Units (DCPU) in each District. As per the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, statutory bodies have been established in every District, including the Child Welfare Committees (for care and protection of children), Juvenile Justice Boards and Special Juvenile Police Units/ Juvenile Welfare Officers (for care and protection of juveniles in conflict with law). The DCPU facilitates the activities of these statutory bodies and institutions.

   Based on the provisions of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights, 2005, Bihar Commission for the Protection of Child Rights has been constituted to protect the rights and address issues concerning children.

   Initiatives for Women:

   The Directorate of Social Welfare implements program related to integrated development and empowerment of women such as:

   1. Mukhya Mantri Nari Shakti Yojana.
   2. Mukhya Mantri Kanya Suraksha Yojana.
   3. Scheme for Prevention of Domestic Violence.
   4. Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment at the Workplace.
   5. Mukhya Mantri Sanwasin Vivah Anudaan Yojana.

   The Directorate works with the Women Development Corporation and the State Women Commission to meet the objective of social, economic and cultural empowerment of women.

   The Women Development Corporation implements schemes such as the Mukhya Mantri Nari Shakti Yojana, an integrated scheme for protection, development and empowerment of women. It also has programmes to create social awareness, for the protection of women victims of domestic violence and innovative schemes to promote entrepreneurship among women.

   Website - www.wdcbihar.org.in

   Organizational Setup:

   The Directorate of Social Welfare (DSW) is headed by a Director supported by Joint Directors, Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors who are assigned specific responsibilities within the range of activities undertaken by the Directorate related to the protection of rights, welfare, development and empowerment of women and children in the State.

   The Directorate is responsible for supervising and coordinating the activities of the State Child Protection Unit and the District Child Protection Units . The Directorate works with the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights on issues concerning protection of rights of children. It also oversees the execution of program being implemented by the Women Development Corporation, and co-ordinates its program initiatives with those of the State Women Commission and the Bihar Social Welfare Board.

   At the District level, the Assistant Director, Social Security is in charge of the execution and implementation of all program related to children and women. The Assistant Director also serves as the nodal officer for the District Child Protection Unit.

    

   Directorate of Social Security & Disability

   The Directorate of Social Security and Disability (DSS&D) is responsible for all policies and programs related to persons with disabilities (PWDs), older persons, persons affected by substance abuse, destitute people, including beggars and widows. The Directorate is specifically concerned with:

   1. Distribution of pensions, including social security pensions and pensions for older persons.
   2. All activities and schemes related to the welfare of older persons.
   3. Implementation and co-ordination of all schemes concerning the welfare and empowerment of PWDs.
   4. Programs related to prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of all substance abusers.
   5. Rehabilitation of beggars and other people who are destitute.
   6. Programmes concerning rehabilitation of scheduled tribes and communities with a history of taking up criminal activities.

   As the nodal agency concerned with social security schemes the DSS&D is coordinating the implementation programs under National Social Assistance Programs such as Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme. Besides, the State Government is also implementing the Bihar Disability Pension Scheme, Laxmibai Social Security Pension Scheme, Mukhya Mantri Samarthya Yojana (providing aids and appliances and artificial limbs for PWDs), State Social Security Disability Pension Scheme, State Social Security Pension Scheme, Kabir Antyeshti Anudan Yojana, Loan Scheme for Self-Employment of the Disabled, Scheme for Loan for Education, Scheme for Scholarship to the Disabled, and rehabilitation of beggars.

   The Director, Directorate of Social Security and Disability (DSS&D) is in charge for all programmatic activities concerning social security, welfare and rehabilitation. The Director is supported by a team of senior officers in the execution of the activities which includes one Joint Director. A group of five Assistant Directors handle the day-to-day workings of the program, which include different pension schemes and other schemes for older persons and persons with disabilities (PWDs), and special schools and rehabilitation centres for PWDs.

   The Director, Directorate of Social Security and Disability (DSS&D) is in charge for all programmatic activities concerning social security, welfare and rehabilitation. The Director is supported by a team of senior officers in the execution of the activities which includes one Joint Director. A group of five Assistant Directors handle the day-to-day workings of the program, which include different pension schemes and other schemes for older persons and persons with disabilities (PWDs), and special schools and rehabilitation centres for PWDs.

   An independent office of the State Disability Commissioner has been established under the Directorate, in accordance with the State Action Plan for implementing welfare and development programs for PWDs.

   At the district level, the Assistant Director, District Social Security Cell is the key implementing officer for the execution and implementation of all programs of the Department.

   

   Directorate of Integrated Child Development Services

   The Directorate of Integrated Child Development Services is primarily concerned with the implementation of schemes related to children in the age group of 0-6 years, adolescent girls as well as pregnant and lactating women. In addition to these initiatives, the Directorate is concerned with the relevant policies, legislations, budget, training requirements, monitoring, evaluation and supervision of programs concerning early childhood care and nutrition programs.

   While the prime responsibility of the Directorate is the implementation of the flagship program for Integrated Child Development Services Scheme, it is also responsible for implementation of the Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls - SABLA, and the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana.
   The Directorate of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is headed by a Director, who is supported by a multi-tier staff structure comprising Joint Directors, Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors at the State level. At the District level, the District Program Officer executes the programs in coordination with the Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) in charge of the ICDS projects at the block level. At the village level, there are the anganwadi workers, closely guided by Lady Supervisors who monitor clusters of Anganwadi Centres and report to the CDPOs.

   Bihar State Social Welfare Board

   Our Mission

   Strive to be recognized as the most progressive entity for providing services of unequivocal excellence to women and children for their protection, capacity building and total empowerment. To raise awareness about the legal and human rights of women and girl child and to run campaigns against social evils affecting them.

   Vision Statement

   The decade perspective of the Bihar State Social Welfare Board encompasses the following objectives-

   The Board must:

   1. Act as a change maker with a humanitarian approach by reinforcing the spirit of voluntarism.
   2. Create an enabling mechanism to facilitate networking of committed social workers for the empowerment of women and children.
   3. Develop a cadre of sensitive professionals with agender centric vision committed to equity, justice and social change.
   4. Recommend gender specific policy initiatives to meet the new challenges for women and children in emerging areas.
   5. Strengthen voluntary organisations and expand coverage of 'engendered' schemes in areas where they have not yet reached.
   6. Initiate and strengthen its monitoring role to act as social audit and guide for the voluntary sector so as to access Government funds as resource.
   7. Generate awareness about the challenges of a society in transition where negative use of technologies and practices are impacting on the wellbeing of women and children.

   Schemes of Assistance/e-AWEDAN:

   Developing a healthy partnership with Voluntary Organisations for the welfare, development and empowerment of women in our society has been one of the primary objectives of the Central Social Welfare Board since its inception in 1954. The schemes of the Board are for the most part implemented by VOs. The Board has developed networking with more than 350 VO's in the State.

   The Central Social Welfare Board provides support to VOs under a variety of programmes in order to facilitate and strengthen their role in empowering women through education and training, through collective mobilisation and awareness creation, through income generating facilities and by the provision of support services. The detailed objectives of each of the schemes of assistance, budgets and terms and conditions of grants are described below.

   Conditions of eligibility for assistance:

   In order to be eligible for grants under the CSWB's programmes, an applicant institution should meet the following:

   1. It should be registered under an appropriate Act or be a regularly constituted branch of a registered welfare organisation (mere affiliation to a registered body will not suffice for this purpose)
   2. Office bearers of the institution should not be related to each other.
   3. The organisation should have completed at least 2 years after registration in order to be eligible for grants from the Board under any scheme, except in the scheme of Family Counselling Centres where completion of 3 years after registration is required. Relaxation may however, be made (i) in case of institutions in hilly, remote, border and backward or tribal areas; (ii) in case of those institutions which provide specialised services where these are not available; and (iii) in case where the need for starting an altogether new service is recognised. This requirement does not apply to branches which have been started by well established national/state level organisations in remote and needy areas.
   4. It should have a properly constituted Managing Committee with its powers, duties and responsibility clearly defined and laid down in a written constitution.
   5. It should have facilities, resources, personnel, managerial skill and experience to initiate the activity for which the grant is required
   6. Its financial position should be sound and it should be in a position to raise such additional funds, as may be required, to complete the programme for which assistance is given by the Board and in addition, where necessary, to continue to maintain the existing level of services from its own resources.
   7. The activities of the institution should be open to all citizens of India without any distinctions of religion, race, caste or language. Apart from the above conditions, there are other conditions of eligibility applicable for specific schemes of assistance which are detailed in the relevant sections pertaining to the schemes on succeeding pages.