Cabinet approves new scheme for rural women

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the introduction of new scheme 'Mahila Shakti Kendra'.

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the introduction of new scheme 'Mahila Shakti Kendra' in order to empower rural women through community participation.

According to an official statement, the new scheme will empower rural women through community engagement by creating an environment in which they can realize their potential.

The Cabinet also approved the expansion of other schemes of the Ministry of Women and Child Development under its umbrella scheme of "Mission for Protection and Empowerment for Women" for a period of two years. 

The financial outlay during this period will be Rs 3,636.85 crore with a central share of approximately Rs 3,084.96 crore, the statement said. 

It said that "Mahila Shakti Kendra" (MSK) is envisaged to work at various levels. 

"While the national level and state level structures will provide technical support to the respective government on issues related to women, the district and block level centres will provide support to MSK and also give a foothold to BBBP (Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao) in 640 districts to be covered in a phased manner," it said. 

More than three lakh student volunteers from local colleges will be involved in this process of community engagement. 

The outcome based activities of student volunteers will be monitored through web based system.