Department for women, good times for Kudumbashree

Thiruvananthapuram: For the first time ever, the state will get a Gender Department with a principal secretary and the entire departmental paraphernalia to boot. Government departments have already been asked to brace themselves to conduct gender audit every two years. Henceforth, at least 10 percent of the budget will be earmarked for women-specific projects.

In this budget, Isaac has earmarked Rs 91 crore for the welfare and development of women. Of this, Rs 45 crore is the state’s share for the integrated Child Protection Scheme sponsored by the Centre. Gender audits analyze the income and expenditures of the government from a gender perspective based on the basic assumption that public policy impacts differently on men and women.

Each department has to constitute a gender audit team with a senior level officer as the Team Leader. The team should report directly to the Head of the Department and would be given the authority to examine any office under the department, to obtain any record, to raise queries and to obtain replies in writing without delay. All these activities will be coordinated by the proposed Gender Department.

Isaac has earmarked '50 crore to construct public toilets and “fresh-up” centres for women in petrol pumps, bus stands, railway stations and other public spaces. He has also set apart 12.5 crore for the upgradation of Nirbhaya homes, which according to Isaac now resemble “prisons”. “These homes will be made women-friendly,” the minister said.

One of the biggest gainers in Isaac’s budget is Kudumbashree. He has raised the plan allocation for the self help group organisation from Rs 130 crore to Rs 200 crore. He will also provide loans to them at 4 percent interest.