23 September 2024, New Delhi: A socially secured village, as envisioned by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, ensures that every person feels cared for and protected under social security systems. This approach focuses on elevating the living standards of Below Poverty Line (BPL) households, ensuring access to social protection schemes, improving healthcare and education, and fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all, especially women, children, and marginalized communities.
Key Elements of a Socially Secured Village:
Comprehensive Social Security: All eligible individuals in the village are integrated into social security schemes, such as pension plans, healthcare, and education programs. This extends to enrolling children and pregnant women in the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), ensuring they receive proper nutrition and care.
Productive Employment: Villages should focus on creating opportunities for employment, particularly for vulnerable and economically weaker sections, through schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and other rural livelihood initiatives.
Infrastructure Development: Essential infrastructure, such as quality education and healthcare facilities, must be established to support the social well-being of villagers.
Addressing Inequalities and Discrimination: Special attention is given to reducing all forms of discrimination, promoting equal work opportunities, and providing resources for the differently-abled.
Role of Gram Panchayat:
Gram Panchayats play a crucial role in ensuring the social security of villages. They act as facilitators in registration for schemes like the Public Distribution System (PDS), helping identify the poor, destitute, and vulnerable, and promoting awareness of various government programs. Panchayats also monitor services, ensure inclusive representation in Gram Sabhas, and work toward timely access to social security services. Additionally, they are responsible for planning rehabilitation for disabled individuals, ensuring safety for women and children, and supporting victims of violence through legal action and rehabilitation.
In education, Gram Panchayats ensure that schools maintain quality infrastructure and that children receive inclusive, quality education. They also work to register all births, ensure equal employment opportunities, and facilitate skill development programs to generate employment.
Resources Available to Panchayats:
To support socially secured villages, Panchayats can access various central and state-level schemes, such as:
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM): A pension scheme for unorganized workers.
National Social Assistance Program (NSAP): Providing pensions to the elderly, widows, and disabled.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): Guaranteeing 100 days of employment.
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM): Aims at promoting sustainable livelihoods for the rural poor.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY): Offering micro-financing for small businesses.
Additionally, schemes related to women’s empowerment, child protection, nutrition, and education such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Poshan Abhiyan, and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan play a vital role in addressing the comprehensive needs of vulnerable groups.
Social Protection for Women and Children:
In socially secured villages, safety and empowerment of women and children are of utmost importance. Programs like Women’s Helpline (1098), One-Stop Centers, and Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) ensure women and children facing violence receive support, counseling, and legal assistance. For children, ICDS and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao focus on early childhood care, education, and reducing gender disparity.
Socially secured villages aim to create equitable, healthy, and inclusive communities where every individual, regardless of their economic or social status, has access to fundamental rights and resources. By fostering inclusive participation, ensuring protection against vulnerabilities, and developing critical infrastructure, these villages can serve as models for rural development across the country.
The combined efforts of Gram Panchayats, social security schemes, and community participation can lead to a future where rural India not only thrives economically but ensures a dignified life for all its residents.
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