Writeup AP 2011-12 - Punjab State Planning Board

11.12 WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
485
Outlay –Rs .22504.14 lac
11.12.1 The National Perspective Plan for Women aims at economic development and
integration of women into the mainstream economy, at equity and at social justice. Since
women constitutes 47% of the total population of the State, there is a continued inequality
and vulnerability in all the sectors – economic, social, political, educational, health care,
nutrition and legal. The all round development of women is to be achieved by treating them
not merely as providers and producers but also as individuals with a right to human dignity.
11.12.2 The Government of Punjab vide its notification No. 2/31/91-SW/1728, dated
19/5/1998 constituted Punjab State Commission for Women for safeguarding the rights of
women for providing justice to them and above all, for enquiring into unfair practices
affecting women in the State of Punjab and for the matters connected therewith incidental
thereto. This Commission advises the government on legislative development for policies
affecting women and review the existing laws to protect women’s legal life, conduct research
and study regarding the problems of women and inspect remand homes, police stations and
recommend remedial measures for their improvement. This Commission follows the
directions provided by the National Commission for Women.
11.12.3 Under the Women and Child Development sector, various schemes being
implemented by the government aim at human resource development of the State to enhance
the productivity. The schemes implemented for the development of women aim at enhancing
women’s access to resources and to benefits of the development of nation so that 47% of the
population could enjoy the fruit of these schemes being implemented for their welfare and
development, to involve them in the income generating activities and also to strengthen them
economically. The Department of Women and Child Development has been declared as the
Nodal Department by Government of India for Gender Budgeting. The state government is
considering to start a separate department for the development of women and children for
which notification has already been issued. However, attempt is being made by the Planning
Department and an allocation of Rs. 1648.00 crore is made as women component under
various schemes/programmes especially for the welfare and development of women. The list
of schemes exclusively benefitting the women in the State is depicted at the Annexure ‘A’.
11.12.4 The child sex ratio of the country which was 927 in 2001 has declined to 914
as per Census of 2011. As many as 28 states have reported declining sex ratio and Punjab is