Role of Government in Social Welfare

A Government consists of group of people who govern a state. The proper governing of state plays a very important role in the development of a country. The government should take all necessary steps for the betterment of the country and its people. A democratic country is for the people, by the people and to the people. Therefore government of any country should act wisely for the development of the community. Social welfare is a policy in which the well being of a society at large is the main target.

It includes every class/group of people in the society i. e. children, women, the disabled, old etc and the basic standard of living is guaranteed to every one.

ROLE OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF MIZORAM GOVERNMENT

Social Welfare was created as a small wing under Education Department during 1973 — 74 with one State Social Welfare Officer, one District Social Welfare Officer and a skeleton supporting staff. During 1974-75, the Social Welfare Wing was strengthened by posting one Programme Officer.

Get quality help now

writer-Charlotte

Verified writer

Proficient in: Adoption

4.7 (348)

“ Amazing as always, gave her a week to finish a big assignment and came through way ahead of time. ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

Today, as many as 506 staff belonging to different grades is working in the Department, covering the whole of Mizoram. The Department of Social Welfare has been taking up various schemes for the upliftment of women and children, handicapped persons, old age persons, management of correctional institutions and social defense, strengthening of voluntary organizations and development of rural infrastructure.

SCHEMES AND PROGRAMMES

INTEGRATED CHILDREN PROTECTION SCHEME

The Govt. of India, Ministry of Women & Child Development has formulated a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme — “Integrated Child Protection Scheme” (ICPS) with the objective to provide a safe and secure environment to the children in the country who are in need of care and protection as well as children in conflict with law.

The intervention includes, inter-alia, financial support for setting up and / or maintenance of Homes for children in need of care and protection and those in conflict with law, setting up of child protection structure — state child protection society, capacity building, advocacy etc.

DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Mizoram is vulnerable because of its extensive International borders and its proximity to ’ Golden Triangle’ where more than 20 % of the World’s Heroin drug is reportedly produced. The problem of drug abuse has been a matter of serious concern affecting all sections of the people. The problem is not only an urban phenomenon but is spreading to smaller towns and interior villages.

ADOPTION

Adoption Cell has been set up to coordinate, regulate and monitor the works of adoption and to render all assistance to the advisory Board on adoption.

To cater to the problems of orphans and destitute children in Mizoram in a child centric way and with the guidance of Centre Adoption Recourse Agency, the Social Welfare Department sponsor a Home under Friends of Society as an Adoption Agency for the purpose of child welfare.

RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTE AND TRAINING CENTRE

Residential Institute and Training Centre (RITC) also known as Home for Women in Distress was established in the year 1989 under the Dep’t of Social Welfare Govt of Mizoram.

The Primary objective of RITC is to rehabilitate women who are in need of care, protection and training for their security and self-employment. The intention for establishing RITC is to rehabilitate women who are victims of circumstances who get involved in situations where they are socially and economically deprived, discarded and handicapped by giving them shelter, care, treatment and training to enable them to take care of themselves.

Ways of Rehabilitation:

• 1) Providing Certificate Course in Tailoring and Embroidery.
• 2) Providing shelter, food and lodging.
• 3) Counseling — Social Works approach
• 4) Organizing religious camping.
• 5) After finishing the course, for economic rehabilitation, they are provided with sewing machines basic tools for tailoring and a certificate.

WOMEN COMMISSION

The Mizoram State Commission for Women was established headed by the Chairperson with five Members and Member-Secretary at Aizawl in 1998 — 99 to protect Women against crimes. Main functions of the Commission are: i) To investigate and examine all matters relating to the safeguards provided for

Women under the constitution and other laws ii) To take up the cases of violation of the provisions of the constitution and of other laws relating to women with the appropriate authorities, and iii) To look into complains and take notice of matters relating to deprive of Women rights. 6) WELFARE OF AGED (a) Old Age Pension: The scheme of Old Age Pension was started during 1974-75 in Mizoram. It was given to 150 Old Age persons - Rs 30/-p. m. per person who have no supporters or near relatives to support them.

The amount of pension was raised to Rs 60/- during 1981-82 and then to Rs. 250/- per month per beneficiary. (b) Old Age Home: Old Age Home had been opened in 1989 under Social Welfare Department at Aizawl for the Homeless aged persons. It is the Home of its only kind in the state of Mizoram. Old Aged persons (60 +) having no supporter/relative and who are resident of the state of Mizoram are admitted in the Home.

ROLE OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF MEGHALAYA GOVERNMENT

Social welfare department was constituted as an Independent Directorate in 1974.

Deals with Human Resource Index and Development. Social welfare department of Meghalaya consists of Ministry of Women and child development, Ministry of Social justice and empowerment and Ministry of Tribal affairs. OJECTIVES Social Welfare Department caters for the special needs of marginalized. It aims at bringing tranquility, social and economic development of women, children, disabled and juvenile delinquents in the State. The Department has been able to formulate programmes for the welfare and development of women and children and networking with NGOs.

INITIATIVES

During the last decades, we have undertaken a large number of major initiatives in the Social Welfare Sector. Such achievements are vocational training programmes, rehabilitation services to the disabled, training and capacity building under the Udisha innovative programme, supplementary nutrition to children and mothers (PMGY), care of juvenile delinquents, training for empowerment of women and linkages of SHG (Self Help Group).

SCHEMES & PROGRAMMES

WOMEN’S WELFARE:

• a) Training for Self Employment of Women. Shillong, Jowai and Tura In order to cater to the needs of destitute, orphan, widow, deserted wife and women in distress the Department have set up the three training centres to provide vocational skills and training in knitting, tailoring, embroidery and weaving so as to enable them to be self supported and self employed.
• b) Computer Operator and Programming Assistant The Department in collaboration with Ram Krishna Mission, Shillong introduced the scheme in 1995 for providing training in computer Operator and Programming to destitute, orphan, deserted women so as to enable them to be economically independent.
• c) Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP) The programme of STEP launched in 1987 aims to upgrade the skills of poor and marginalized women. The objectives are to provide employment to them on a sustainable basis in the traditional sectors of agriculture, veterinary, fisheries, handlooms and handicrafts. d) Women Economic Empowerment (NORAD) Under the scheme which is assisted by Norwegian Agency for International Development (NORAD) projects of skill development and training of achieving self-reliance through income generation for women are supported.

DISABILITY SECTOR:

The Department provides services to Disabled Challenged Persons. Requirements for the welfare disabled people are taken into consideration the type of disability, prevention, early detection and rehabilitation.

• a) Scholarships and Meritorious Award to Disabled Students Scholarship is given to the Disabled student pursuing higher studies in recognized schools, colleges, and institutions from nursery up to postgraduate levels. Reader allowance is also given to visually impaired students studying from class IX onwards. State Awards to meritorious disabled students is also given.
• b) Prosthetic aid is provided to Disabled Persons Prosthetic aid is provided to the disabled persons in accordance with the prescribed Rules. Aid such as wheelchair, artificial limbs, hearing aid, crutches etc. is provided so as to enable the disabled persons to lead a normal and purposeful life.
• c) Vocational Training to Disabled persons for self employment Vocational training is imparted to the Disabled person through voluntary organisations in all the seven District Headquarters in different trades like knitting, cane, bamboo work, tailoring. The main objective of the scheme is to enable the disabled people to stand on their own feet by taking up self employment venture in the trade they have been trained.
• d) Assistance to Voluntary Organisations working for the Disabled Voluntary organisations working in the field of welfare of disabled are assisted financially in the form of grant-in-aid towards maintenance of their welfare programmes such as special school, vocational centres. There are 5 (five) nos. of non governmental organisations working for the welfare of the disabled. Some organisations also maintain separate institution for a specific category of disabled persons.