Social Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya

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Social Welfare

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• Organisation Structure
• Objectives
• Womens Welfare Development
• Child Welfare
• Supplementary Nutrition Programme
• Disability Sector
• Social Defence
• Publications
• The Right to Information
• Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities

Central Schemes

• ICDS
• Frontline ICDS Functionaries
• Location of Anganwadi centres
• Training
• Balika Samriddhi Yojana

Social Defence

1. Trafficking of Women and Children

The State Advisory Committee headed by the Additional Chief Secretary has been constituted comprising of officials and members of the NGOs.The Department has notified a State Nodal Officer for the purpose of coordinating with the NGOs and other concerned Department to combat the menace of trafficking of women and children in the State. The Nodal Officer may be contacted in the following number 0364-2225266 for more details

2. Adoption

Adoption is a process by which a child who has been abandoned or given up by his/her biological parents and without any family is given a safe secure and loving family through legal process.

The adoption unit was set up at the Directorate of Social Welfare with Assistant Director of Social Welfare (Social Defence) as the Officer in charge.

The State Level Advisory Committee on Adoption was constituted during 2001. The function of the Committee is to promote in country adoption in the State and to monitor the performance of the adoption programme.

Shishu Greha a scheme of assistance to voluntary organisation for providing a home to children who become destitute at a very early age and for promotion of in country adoption for children 0-6 years is sponsored by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment under the supervision of CARA with the recommendation of the State Government (Social Welfare).

3. Juvenile Justice Act

Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 is an act relating to children below 18 years in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection by providing proper care, protection and treatment catering to their development needs and by adopting child-friendly approach in the adjudication and disposition of matter in the best interest of children and for their ultimate rehabilitation through various institutions established under this Act.

Three Homes viz Observation Homes was set up in the State under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for temporary reception of children in conflict with law during the pendency of inquiry. The services provided to them aims at rehabilitation and social integration of a Juvenile.

Location of Observation Home and Capacity

4. Setting up of State Commission for Women (SCW)

The Meghalaya State Commission for Women Act, 2005 is an Act to provide for the constitution of a Women’s Commission to improve the status of women in the State of Meghalaya and to inquire into unfair practices affecting women and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto;

The Meghalaya State Commission for Women Act, 2005 was passed by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on April 2005 and received the assent of the Governor on the 29th April 2005.

In exercise of the power conferred under section 3 of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women Act, 2005. Governor of Meghalaya reconstituted the Meghalaya State Commission for Women on 11.7.2008 with the following members:

Chairperson : Smti. Susanna K. Marak
Vice Chairperson : Dr. (Mrs.) Rica Lamar

Members :

• Dr. (Mrs.) June Shullai
• Smt. Lena Marbaniang, East Khasi Hills District.
• Smt. F. Marcelline Rymbai, West Khasi Hills District.
• Smt. Jennyffer Joan Kylla, Ri Bhoi District.
• Smt. Tshering Yangi, East Khasi Hills District.

Member Secretary : Smt. C. N. Marak, Asstt. Director of Social Welfare (SD)

5. Implementation of Domestic Violence Act, 2005

With a view to providing more effective protection of the rights of women guaranteed under the constitution who are victims of violence of any kind occurring within a family and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto and as a step towards implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. The Government has appointed Protection Officers under the relevant provision of the Act. Therefore, in accordance to the provision of the Act mentioned above, any person therefore who are victim of domestic violence may contact the following Protection Officers for redressal of their grievances.

District Social Welfare Officer, East Khasi Hills, Lower Lachumiere, Shillong. (0364) 2224409
District Social Welfare Officer, West Khasi Hills, Nongstoin. 953654/22280
District Social Welfare Officer, Jaintia Hills, Jowai. 953652/220805
District Social Welfare Officer, Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh. 953638/232551
District Social Welfare Officer, West Garo Hills, Tura. 953651/232028
District Social Welfare Officer, East Garo Hills, Williamnagar. 953658/220351
District Social Welfare Officer, South Garo Hills, Baghmara. 953639/222360

6. Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse

Drug Abuse has become a major social problem. To combat this problem the Department of the Social Welfare has been declared as a Nodal Department to co-ordinate all the measures activities being undertaken by Government and NGOs.

In addressing the problem, it is divided into three sections prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.

Prevention includes creating awareness and early identification. The 26th June being the International Day on Drug Abuse was usually observes by the State Government in which awareness programmes were conducted. Financial assistance to voluntary organisation for conducting awareness programme on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse was one of the schemes of the Department.

Government of India through the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment implemented a scheme – Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. The NGO have been entrusted with the responsibility for delivery of services in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation and the Ministry bears substantial financial responsibility of 90% of the prescribe grant amount.

Under this scheme, 3 (three) NGOs received financial assistance and they are running a de-addiction centre at Shillong.

• KRIPA Foundation Centre Shillong Branch at Lower Lachumiere. (M) 9862010568.
• New Hope Centre of the KJP Assembly at KJP Guest House IGP Point, Shillong. (M) 9863068209.
• Manbha Foundation, Jowai. (M) 9863091169.

7. Welfare of Aged People

Government of India had announced the National Policy on Older Persons in the year 1999. It aim to strengthen their legitimate place in the society and help older person to live their life with proper dignity and peace. In order to implement the National Policy the State had constituted the Inter-Departmental Co-ordination Committee under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Government of Meghalaya. The function of the Committee is to examine the provision of the Policy to be implemented in the State.

The well being of the Older Person is the concerned of the State. The Government alone cannot cater to the needs of the older person; hence it recognized the services rendered by the NGOs toward the destitute and poor aged persons. The State implemented a scheme of financial assistance to NGOs running welfare activities for the older persons/ aged. Under this scheme two NGOs viz. Sister of Charity Mercy Home, Demthring Shillong, St. Xavier Society of Christ Jesus, received financial assistance.

Every year the Department observed the International Day of Older Person on the 1st October through out the Districts in collaboration with the NGOs and other concerned Departments.

8. Token Financial Assistance for Medical Treatment of the Aged

Scheme of Token Financial Assistance was launched during the year 1999. The aim of the scheme is to provide financial assistance for medical treatment to destitute old person whose age is 60 and above for men and 65 and above for women and who are without any means of subsistence and none in a position to support them in their livelihood. The amount fixed for the assistance is Rs.2200/- each. The nos. of aged person receiving assistance under this scheme

Coverage of beneficiaries during 2007-08:180 nos and 2009-10 : 227 nos.

The Rules under the Maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens Act, 2007 is under examination and it is hoped that the Rules will be finalized soon. After the finalization of the Rules, steps will be taken to implement the provisions of the Act for ensuring the overall welfare of parents and senior citizens.