New Delhi, April 26: The Swadhar Scheme that envisions providing shelter, food, clothing, medical aid, emotional support, counselling and rehabilitation services to women and girls in difficult circumstances or in distress has moved ahead in Manipur compared to other North Eastern States, reports Manipur Information Centre .

Out of 169 Swadhar Homes in the country and 23 homes in the North East, Swadhar Homes sanctioned so far by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development for Manipur was 12.Assam had five, Nagaland three, Mizoram two and Arunachal one.

Moreover, out of 212 Swadhar Helplines in the country and seven in the NE, five helplines were in Manipur compared to one each in Assam and Nagaland States.

Sources from the Ministry said the implementing agencies sanctioned for Swadhar Homes in Manipur include Rural Development Society (Wangjing Bazar), SC/ST Backward Women and Children Development Organisation in Rural Areas (Thoubal Khunou), Institute of Social Development for Weaker Sections (Wahengbam Leikai), Public Yoga and Nature Cure Association (Kakching Wairi), Department of Social Welfare (Manipur), Rural Voluntary Services (Wangbal Mayai Leikai), Manipur Border Area Development Society (Chakpikarong), Environment Economics Management Association (Haobam marak Chingtham Leikai), Chill Chill Asian Mission Society (Kanglatongbi), Moulviphei Rural Health Research Centre (Churachandpur), Social Upliftment and Resource Development Agency (Khangabok) and Women's Income Generation Centre (Thoubal Wangmataba).

While the Department of Social Welfare envisages 100 beneficiaries, number of beneficiaries targeted by each agency is 50.Organisations taking up Swadhar Helplines besides Swadhar Homes are SC/ST Backward Women and Children Development Organisation in rural areas, Institute of Social Development for Weaker Sections, Rural Voluntary Services, Environment Economics Management Association and Women's Income Generation Centre.

The Central Government extended financial assistance of about Rs 1.20 crore to these organisations under the said scheme since 2003-04 and upto March 7 this year, sources added.

The target group beneficiaries of the Scheme covers widows deserted by their families and relatives, women prisoners released from jail and without family support, women survivors of disasters rendered homeless and without any social and economic support, trafficked women/girls rescued or fled from brothels or other places or women/girl victims of sexual crimes who are disowned by family, women victims of terrorist/extremist violence and without source of sustenance, mentally challenged women without any support from family or relatives, women with HIV/AIDS deserted by families or women who lost their husband due to HIV/AIDS and are without socio-economic support or similarly placed women in difficult circumstances.

Main components of the Scheme comprise of assistance for construction of buildings for the centre, rent, management, provision of food, shelter and clothing for women and children below the age of 18 years, counselling for the women in difficult circumstances, clinical legal and other support, training for economic rehabilitation of such women, and helplines facilities.

Implementing agencies of the Scheme includes Social Welfare Department of State Govt, Women's Development Corporation, urban local bodies, reputed public/private trust or voluntary organisations willing to take up the responsibility of rehabilitating women faced with difficulties.

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