Lok Sabha Question No. 2940 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-28
Subject: National Forum for Single Women Rights
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2940

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.12.2018

## NATIONAL FORUM FOR SINGLE WOMEN RIGHTS

2940.  SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of single women in the country as per the 2011 census along with the schemes implemented  and  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  empowerment  of  single  women  in vulnerable  circumstances  during  the  last  three  years,  State/UT-wise  along  with  Bundelkhand region;
- (b) whether the National Forum for Single Women's Rights (NFSWR) has raised issues concerning single  women,  widows  of  all  ages  as  well  as  unmarried,  divorced,  separated  and  abandoned women, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the NFSWR has urged the Union as well as State Governments to ensure a monthly pension of Rs.3,000 for all single women whose incomes are below the taxation limit, if so, the response of the Union Government thereon;
- (d) the steps taken by the Union Government to enhance the pensionary benefits to single women; and
- (e) the  details  of  funds  allocated  and  utilised  for  increasing  the  number  of  women's  hostels  along with the steps taken to improve the facilities already available?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

- (a): Registrar  General  of  India  collects  the  Census  Data  on  the  basis  of  all  persons  living  in  the country at the time of Census taking, which also includes data on single women. As per the census,  the  number  of  single  women  population  in  2011  was  59,36,636.  The  Ministry  is implementing  various  schemes/programmes  such  as  One  Stop  Centre,  Women  Helpline, Swadhar Greh, Working Women Hostels, Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK), Mahila Shakti Kendra for the welfare and empowerment of women across the country which can also be availed by single women, on meeting the specific requirements prescribed thereunder.
- (b) to  (d):  National  Forum  for  Single  Women's  Rights  (NFSWR)  has  raised  issues  concerning single women, widows of all ages as well as unmarried, divorced, separated and abandoned women including monthly pension of Rs.3000/- per month for low income single women, in its Annual Advisory meeting.  Ministry of Rural Development has set up a National Social Advisory Committee  for taking informed decision for revamping  the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) scheme by way of changes in admissible rates and the criteria.
- (e): The  Ministry  of  Women  and  Child  Development  is  implementing  Working  Women  Hostels scheme  for  ensuring  safe  accommodation  for  women  working  away  from  their  place  of residence.  To provide safety for working women, a provision has been made to keep security guard and to install CCTV Cameras in Working Women Hostels. To provide quality of stay for working  women,  provision  has  been  made  in  the  Scheme  guidelines  to  provide  safe  and affordable  accommodation  with  clean  and  well-ventilated  day  care  centre  for  the  children  of inmates,  medical  first-aid  and  providing  washing  machines  and  geysers/solar  water  heating system. The funds allocated and released during last three year are as under:

| Year    |   Budget Allocation (In crores) | Fund Released (In crores)   |
|---------|---------------------------------|-----------------------------|
| 2015-16 |                              28 | 12.19                       |
| 2016-17 |                              28 | 23.13                       |
| 2017-18 |                              50 | 26.96                       |
| 2018-19 |                              52 | 20.14 ( As on 26.12.2018)   |

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