Govt plans statutory status for women, child devpt panels

The state government is contemplating giving statutory status to Women and Child Development committees in municipal corporations and municipal councils to ensure better implementation of programmes. Currently only four civic committees — standing, improvement, health and education — have statutory status in 22 municipal corporations and 222 municipal councils in the state.

Minister for Women and Child Development, Harshavardhan Patil had recently said that statutory status will ensure allocation of adequate funds for implementing schemes. He added that the government will have to amend the law.

Speaking to DNA on Friday, Secretary Women and Child Development (WCD), Dr Vijaysatbir Singh disclosed that a committee of representatives from municipal corporations, WCD department and Urban Development department will work out the modalities and submit its report to the government in a month.

Proposals under consideration include civic bodies earmarking about 5-10 per cent of their budgetary allocations towards implementing schemes targeted towards women and child development. The government is also thinking over handing the running of Aaganwadi’s to these civic bodies.