Lok Sabha Question No. 4233 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: PALNA Scheme
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri G M Harish Balayogi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4233

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2024

## PALNA SCHEME

## 4233.  SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI:

Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:

- (a)       the number of women employed in creches under PALNA scheme, State-wise, especially Andhra Pradesh during the last five years, year-wise;
- (b)      the  working  hours  of  the  women  employed  in  the  said  creches,  State-wise, especially the said State, during the last five years, year-wise;
- (c)      whether the women working in the said creches receive minimum wages, if so, the details thereof during the last five years, year-wise, State-wise, especially the said State and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d)      whether  the  women  working  in  the  said  creches  are  entitled  to  maternity benefits, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e)      whether the women working in the said creches are provided any other welfare benefits, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (f)        the details of the funds allocated and utilized under the said scheme?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)

- (a)         The  Ministry  introduced  Palna  scheme  under  the  umbrella  Mission  Shakti w.e.f. 01 April 2022, to provide quality crèche facility in safe and secure environment for children (from ages 6 months - 6 years). Palna is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme ensuring  the  participation  of  State/  UT  government  to  ensure  better  day-to-day monitoring and proper implementation of scheme, and is implemented with a funding ratio of 60:40 between Centre and State Governments and UTs with legislature except North East & Special Category States where ratio is 90:10. For UTs without legislature, 100% funding is provided by the central government.

There  are  2  types  of  Crèches  under  Palna:  Standalone  Crèches  and Anganwadi-cum-Crèches (AWCCs). As per Mission Shakti guidelines, for Standalone Creches, there is a provision of one Creche Worker and one Creche Helper. Similarly, for  AWCCs, in addition to  the already existing Anganwadi Worker and Anganwadi

Helper,  a  provision  for  a  Creche  Helper  and  a  Creche  Worker  has  been  made  in Mission  Shakti  Guidelines.  Gender-disaggregated  data  of  Creche  Workers  and Creche Helpers is not available at Central level.

(b)       The Mission Shakti Guidelines state that the crèche timings need to be flexible depending on the local requirements. Crèches shall be open for 26 days in a month and for seven and half (7.5) hours per day as per the work schedule of majority of the mothers in the area. The Standard Operating Procedures for AWCCs also state that the  Creche timings may be decided by State/ UT governments as per local need, however, it has to be ensured that timing should facilitate Working mothers.

(c)        The Creche Workers and Creche Helpers under Palna are honorary workers. There is no provision of salary or wages to the Creche Workers or Creche Helpers. However, the scheme guidelines have provision for grant of honorarium to Creche Workers and Creche Helpers. The amount of honorarium is governed through the type of Creche, and is detailed as below:

| Type of Creche        | Amount of Monthly Honorarium   | Amount of Monthly Honorarium   |
|-----------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
|                       | Creche Worker                  | Creche Helper                  |
| Standalone Creches    | Rs. 6,500                      | Rs. 3,250                      |
| Anganwadi cum Creches | Rs. 5,500                      | Rs. 3,000                      |

Palna  as  a  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  is  implemented  through  the respective State/ UT Government. The respective States/ UTs may provide additional amount of honorarium to Creche Worker/ Helpers, as a Top-Up from their own funds. There is no bar or restriction from the Central Government about this.

(d) to (e): The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 allows every woman paid maternity leave for 26 weeks for the first two children. Further, the act also grants leave with wages for  12  weeks  for  commissioning  and  adoptive  mothers  and  leave  with  wages  for miscarriage  for  6  weeks  immediately  after  miscarriage  or  medical  termination  of pregnancy. The act entitles payment of maternity benefit in case of death of woman by employer to the person nominated by the woman, and in case of no such nominee, to her legal representative.

(f):       The funds allocated and released under Palna scheme since its introduction, are detailed as under:

(Amount in Rs. Crores)

| Financial Year   |   2022-23 |   2023-24 | 2024-25   |
|------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Amount allocated |     35    |     85    | 150.11    |
| Amount released  |      4.68 |     64.15 | 43.66*    |

* as on 19.12.2024

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