Sakhi Niwas Scheme for Working Women’s Hostel a nonstarter: MP Arora

Ludhiana, August 4, 2024:  In the ongoing session of Rajya Sabha, MP (Rajya Sabha) from Ludhiana Sanjeev Arora had asked about the number of working women hostels constructed in the last five years and whether the government is also planning to increase the number of Transit Hostels in Tier I and II cities.

Numbers are disappointing. In the last 5 years a total of only 19 hostels have been sanctioned in the whole of the country and a meagre 13 have been completed. An average of around 2.5 hostels per annum. On an average not even 1 hostel has been sanctioned for every state. Out of 28 States only 10 have been covered in this scheme, that also with scarce presence.

State of Punjab got only 1 hostel. It is sanctioned and not built yet. In a statement here today, Arora said the Minister provided details of Working Women Hostels sanctioned for construction and those whose construction was completed during the last five years’ period. As per these details, one Working Women Hostel was sanctioned to Punjab during Financial Year 2019-20. The details indicate that this Working Women Hostel too has not been constructed so far. Thus, the sanction is lying in papers only, which is a matter of regret. Moreover, the name of the district or city has not been mentioned where this Working Women Hostel was to be set up in Punjab. He said the Centre should set up at least one such hostel in Ludhiana. He said he would take up this matter with the Ministry concerned. 

Arora said the Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi in her reply mentioned that the government is committed to providing safe, secure, and affordable hostel facility for working women and women aspiring to join the workforce. Working women hostels are critical components for improving participation of women in the labour force, which is a major step towards realising the idea of ‘Women led development.’

The Minister further mentioned in her reply that under the Mission Shakti, erstwhile Working Women Hostel (WWH) Scheme has been renamed as Sakhi Niwas Scheme. In this scheme, financial assistance is provided to the States/UTs for running of Sakhi Niwas in rented premises which includes rent, Management cost, repair cost and crèche establishment cost. There is no provision of construction of Transit Hostels in the Mission Shakti Scheme.

The Minister’s reply further mentioned that prior to the launch of Mission Shakti with effect from April 1, 2022, Grant-in-Aid was released to the States/UTs for construction of new/ expansion of existing buildings and rent for few buildings for providing hostel facilities to the working women in cities, smaller towns and also in rural areas where employment opportunities for women exist. 

It was further mentioned in the Minister’s reply that the Sakhi Niwas Scheme (Working Women Hostel) under the overarching Mission Shakti, is a demand driven centrally sponsored scheme, under which funds are directly released to States/UTs for implementation of the scheme. The States/UTs assess their requirement as per local needs and proposals are approved by the Programme Approval Board (PAB) after discussion with State/UTs.

Arora said according to the Minister’s reply, the Government of India is also providing, under Nirbhaya Fund, financial assistance to Central Universities and States/ UTs for construction of Working Women Hostel (WWH) for accommodating working women as well as female students who are pursuing higher education/ training away from their native place and where the Universities/ State Government provide land and take the responsibility to manage and operate the Hostels.