SWNMP e PN 2017 18

SOCIAL WELFARE
AND
NUTRITIOUS MEAL PROGRAMME
DEPARTMENT
POLICY NOTE
2017-2018
DEMAND NO.45
Dr.V. SAROJA
MINISTER FOR SOCIAL WELFARE
AND
NUTRITIOUS NOON MEAL PROGRAMME
©
GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU
2017
CONTENTS
SL.NO CHAPTER PAGE
1 Introduction 1
2 Child Welfare 9
3 Women Welfare 26
4 Puratchi Thalaivar 67
MGR Nutritious Meal
Programme
5 Welfare of the Aged and 96

Senior Citizens
6 Integrated Child 105

Development Services
Scheme
7 Social Defence 142
8 Social Security Pension 183

Schemes
Annexure – Budget 191

Estimate
DEMAND NO. 45
SOCIAL WELFARE
AND
NUTRITIOUS MEAL PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT
POLICY NOTE 2017-2018

CHAPTER – 1
INTRODUCTION
Based on the agreed Sustainable
Development Goals adopted by the UN General
Assembly, the Government of Tamil Nadu has
made significant progress in achieving
empowerment of women, equal opportunities for
them in all spheres of life and in achieving
nutritional well being of children. Tamil Nadu
Government has been a model State in
implementing various programmes for the welfare
of women, children, senior citizens, aged and
welfare of third genders which are implemented
through the Department of Social Welfare and
Nutritious Meal Programme.
1
To ensure the protection of the rights of
women and children in difficult circumstances, the
Department of Social Defence is implementing the
Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 and the
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children)
Act,2015. The Government is providing
institutional care to children in need of care and
protection and children in conflict with law
through Children Homes, Observation Homes,
Special Homes, After Care Organisations and
Vigilance Protective Homes. Short Stay Homes
and Shelter Homes under Swadhar and Ujjawala
Schemes provide shelter and rehabilitation to
women in distress and difficult circumstances.
As a measure to empower the women
particularly girl child, the Government is
implementing the Girl Child Protection Schemes
which incentives enrolment in higher education
and instils confidence among the parents to
accept girl child with dignity. The Cradle Baby
Scheme is an unique scheme to prevent the evils
2
of female infanticide and also protects abandoned
infants and ensures care and protection of
children till it is placed on adoption. By proper
implementation of Prohibition of Child Marriage
Act, 2006, the girl child health and education is
promoted and life threatening pregnancy risk has
been avoided.
The Integrated Child Development Services
Scheme and the Puratchi Thalaivar MGR
Nutritious Meal Programme address the
nutritional needs of children in the age group of
0-5 years and the school children from 1st Std. to
10th Std. respectively. The scheme of providing
13 variety meals with masala eggs five days in a
week for school children and 3 eggs for
anganwadi children has enhanced the nutritive
and caloric value of food provided and has been
appreciated by Government of India.
Integrated Child Development Services
Scheme is a flagship programme for addressing
the issues of nutrition, preschool education,
3
health and personnel hygiene of children,
adolescents, pregnant and nursing mother. This
scheme strives towards ensuring improved
nutrition, promoting well being of children and
women, empower adolescent girls and promote
inclusive and equitable development. Integrated
Child Development Services Scheme delivers a
comprehensive package of services to the
children from birth to six years, including
provision of supplementary nutrition, hot cooked
meal, health care and pre school education.
Adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating mothers
are also provided with supplementary nutrition
besides health care, awareness education and
capacity building initiatives. Under restructured
pattern of Integrated Child Development Services
Scheme, anganwadi centres are repositioned as a
“Vibrant Early Childhood Development Centre” to
become the “first post” for learning, health and
nutrition, by providing additional human resource
and infrastructure.
4
The department is according top priority to
women’s safety and security, economic and social
empowerment and by recognising their cultural
needs in implementing the flagship scheme of
“Providing Gold for Thirumangalyam” under the 5
Marriage Assistance Schemes.This has ensured a
dignified status to women and poor parents and
has also encouraged girls to pursue higher
education.
The Government was providing `25,000 for
the girls studied upto 10th standard and above
along with 4 gram of gold coin with 22 carat
purity for Thirumangalyam and `50,000 for
graduates/diploma holders along with 4 gram of
gold coin with 22 carat purity for
Thirumangalyam. This special initiative has
motivated 55% of the girls to pursue higher
education with enthusiasm. This scheme is
especially meant for the daughters of poor
parents, orphan girls, inter-caste marriage,
widow’s daughter and for the widow remarriage.
5
From 23.05.2016 onwards the quantum of gold
coin for Thirumangalyam has been raised to
8 gram.
The Government has taken several
measures to improve the status of the third
genders including schemes providing financial
assistance for livelihood.
The Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal
Programme Department runs Service Homes
where the destitute and deserted women can stay
with safety and at the same time pursue
educational and vocational training. The Working
Women’s Hostels where women can stay secured
at the affordable rates, are also run by this
department.
The Government is also providing free
supply of sewing machines to women to help
them to improve their economic conditions. Under
the 98 Women Industrial Co-operative Societies,
75,807 women members are able to earn a
decent income working from their home as they
6
are provided with the job of stitching of 4 sets
uniforms for the children taking noon meal in the
State.
This Department also functions as a nodal
agency for various Social Security Pension
Schemes which are implemented through
Commissionerate of Revenue Administration.
Gender based violence is a reflection of bias
against women still prevailing in our society
inspite of tremendous achievements made by
women in all spheres of life. Violence and the fear
of violence is one of the factors for inhibiting a
woman to participate fully for the development
process of the country. Considering this and to
ensure gender equality, the Government accords
top priority to effectively implement the laws that
protect women. The department is implementing
various legislations like Immoral Traffic
(Prevention) Act, 1956, Dowry Prohibition Act,
1961, Protection of Women from Domestic
Violence Act, 2005, Prohibition of Child Marriage
7
Act, 2006, Maintenance and Welfare of Parents
and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, Protection of
Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012,
Protection of Women from Sexual Harrassment at
Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal)
Act, 2013, Tamil Nadu Hostel and Homes for
Women and Children (Regulation) Act, 2014 and
Act, 2015.
Thus, the Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal
Programme Department deals with people from
all walks of life especially the poor and
marginalised. Over the years, due to effective
implementation of several welfare programmes,
the Department has played an important role in
the development of human resources in our
State.
*********
8
CHAPTER – 2
CHILD WELFARE
2.1 Government of Tamil Nadu has
implemented many schemes for the welfare of the
society especially for Women and Children. The
future of a nation depends largely on the growth
and development of women and children. The
Government of Tamil Nadu has always considered
welfare and protection of children as one of its top
priorities while implementing various development
schemes. The Government pays special attention
to the issues concerning girl children which is
important to achieve an equitable society.
The “Cradle-Baby Scheme” and the “Girl
Child Protection Scheme” which are implemented
for addressing the issues of female infanticide and
sex identifying abortion in the State are unique
schemes in the country.
The Girl Child Protection Scheme was
started in 1992 by the then Hon’ble Chief Minister
of TamilNadu with an objective, viz., development
of girls’ education, eradication of female
9
infanticide, to change the attitudes for preference
of male child and to encourage small family norm.
The Government has created many
opportunities and facilities for girl children to grow
in a healthy and safe environment by
implementing various schemes by addressing the
essential needs of children such as nutrition,
health, education etc.
This scheme implemented by State
Government mainly focuses on education of girl
children as a result of which the girl child literacy
which was 64.43% in 2001, has increased to
73.44% in 2011. In order to ensure further
development of girl children, the following
schemes are being implemented by the
Government:-
1. Cradle Baby Scheme
2. Girl Child Protection Scheme
3. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Scheme
4. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act,
2006
5. Creches for the Children of Working and
Ailling Mothers
6. Special Need Children Home
10
2.2 CRADLE BABY SCHEME
The Government of Tamil Nadu has
pioneered the Cradle Baby Scheme in Salem
District during the year 1992 to curb the menace
of female infanticide prevalent in certain parts of
Tamil Nadu to save the girl child and to improve
the child sex ratio. Through the Cradle Baby
Scheme these babies are saved and handed over
to the State for care and protection.
The causes for the prevalence of female
infanticide are poverty, preference for male child,
lack of acceptance of girl children, the expenses
anticipated by the society for the conduct of
marriage of the girl children, other cultural
practices and inability to care for the new born
baby with multiple disorders.
During the year 2001, this scheme was

extended to Madurai, Theni, Dindigul and
Dharmapuri Districts where the practice of female
infanticide was prevalent. After successful
11
implementation, Child Sex Ratio shows an upward
trend in these districts.
Child Sex Ratio (per 1000 males)
940
920
900
880
860
840
820
800
Dharma
Salem Madurai Theni Dindigul
puri
2001 Census 851 926 891 930 826
2011 Census 917 939 937 942 911
As per 2011 Census, Cuddalore, Ariyalur,

Perambalur, Villupuram and Thiruvannamalai
Districts have recorded lower Child Sex Ratio and
hence the Cradle Baby Scheme was further
extended to these districts in the year 2011.
12
940
Child Sex Ratio (per 1000
920
900
880
males) 860
840
820
800
Tiruvan
Cudda‐ Peram‐ Vilup‐
Ariyalur na‐
lore balur puram
malai
2001 Census 957 949 937 961 948
2011 Census 895 892 913 938 932
Accordingly Reception Centers were opened

in the above mentioned districts. Under the
Scheme, the children who are abandoned by
parents are received in the cradles placed in the
Hospitals, Primary Health Centres, Children
Homes and Protective Homes.
Since the Cradle Baby Scheme began,
poverty-stricken parents and single mothers have
handed over 5,024 children till March, 2017
(Male–966, Female – 4,058).
The positive effect of the Cradle Baby
Scheme in Tamil Nadu has increased the child sex
ratio to 943/1000 in 2011 from 942/1000 in
2001.
13
A sum of `37.52 lakh has been provided
in the Budget Estimate 2017-2018 for this
Scheme.
2.3 CHIEF MINISTER’S GIRL CHILD
PROTECTION SCHEME
The Chief Minister’s Girl Child Protection
Scheme, introduced in 1992, is a pioneering and
path-breaking scheme for the welfare of girl child.
The Girl Child Protection Scheme is aimed at
preventing gender discrimination by empowering
and protecting the rights of girl Children through
direct investment from Government.
The scheme aims to:
• Promote enrollment and retention of the girl
child in school and to ensure her education
at least up to High School level.
• Encourage girls to get married only after
the age of 18 years.
• Encourage parents to adopt family planning
methods after two children.
• Protect the rights of the girl child and
provide social and financial empowerment
of girl child.
14
• Strengthen the role of the family in
improving the status of the girl child.
Mode of Deposits under the Scheme

Scheme-I
An amount of `50,000 is deposited in the
name of the girl child born on or after
01.08.2011, in the form of fixed deposit with the
Tamil Nadu Power Finance and Infrastructure
Development Corporation Limited, for a family
with one girl child only. The copy of the fixed
deposit receipt is given to the family of the girl
child.
Scheme-II
An amount of `25,000 is deposited in the
names of two girl children born on or after
01.08.2011 in the form of fixed deposits with
Tamil Nadu Power Finance and Infrastructure
Development Corporation Limited, for a family
with two girl children only. The copy of the fixed
deposit receipts are given to the family of the girl
children.
15
The deposit is renewed at the end of every
5 years and on completion of 18 years of age, the
amount deposited along with interest will be
given to the girl child. To get this benefit, the girl
child should appear for 10th standard public
examination. Thus, the matured amount will help
the girl child to pursue her higher education.
Details of Final Maturity
Sl. Schemes Initial Maturity payable
No. Deposit after 18 years
Amount including annual
(`) incentive of
`1,800
approximately
1 Scheme-I 50,000 3,00,232
2 Scheme-II 25,000 1,50,117
(for each (for each girl child)
girl child)
Annual incentive of `1,800 is given to the

girl child every year from the 6th year of deposit
in order to meet the education expenses of the
girl child.
16
From the year 2013-2014, the benefits
provided under the Marriage Assistance Scheme
have also been extended to the beneficiaries
under the Girl Child Protection Scheme who were
enrolled from 1992 to 1995.
Under this scheme, the Annual income limit
was enhanced from `24,000/- to `72,000/- with
effect from 14.10.2014 for both Schemes.
Impact of the Scheme
The increasing trend in the female literacy
of Tamil Nadu from 64.43% in 2001 to 73.44% in
2011 and the reduction in the dropout rate of girl
children can also be attributed to the success of
the scheme. So far 8,68,218 beneficiaries have
been benefitted under this scheme from
1997-2017. An amount of `1,259.32 crore have
been deposited.
A sum of `14,013 lakh has been
provided in the Budget Estimate
2017-2018 for this scheme.
17
2.4 BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO (BBBP)
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme was
first launched on 22nd January, 2015 at Panipat,
Haryana by Hon’ble Prime Minister to protect the
interest of the girl children and ensure their
education. Ministry of Women and Child
Development is the Nodal Ministry for
implementing the Scheme.
The Census 2011 reveals the extensive and
significant decline in Child Sex Ratio (CSR)
recording an all-time low of 919 girls for every
1000 boys. Therefore, Government of India
selected 100 districts on the basis of low Child
Sex Ratio as per Census 2011 covering all
States/UTs on a pilot basis covering at least one
district in each State to implement this Scheme.
In Tamil Nadu, Cuddalore District has been
chosen for implementation of the BBBP scheme as
the Child Sex Ratio is the lowest in the State.
However the Child Sex Ratio for Tamil Nadu is
18
943/1000 which is above the national ratio of
919/1000.
The CSR for the Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu
and India is detailed below:-
Census 2001 Census 2011

India 927 919
Tamil Nadu 942 943
Cuddalore 957 896
District
The Objectives of this scheme are

• Prevention of gender biased sex selective
elimination.
• Ensuring survival and protection of the girl
child.
• Ensuring education of the girl child.
The District Collector is the Chairperson for

implementation of the Scheme.
Achievement of the Scheme:
1. Child Sex Ratio in Cuddalore District has
increased from 886 in 2015 to 895 in 2016.
2. Dropout Rate for Upper Primary School (girls)
has come down from 1.5 % in 2015 to 1.0%
in 2016.
19
3. Dropout Rate for Secondary School (girls) has
come down from 3.26% in 2015 to 1.5% in
2016.
4. Under Suganya Samirithi Yojana, new account
have been opened for 59,491 children.
5. Over all infrastructure have been developed
like residential school, provision of toilet,
water facility and installation of incinerator in
girls schools.
AWARD
Cuddalore district was choosen as Best
District in implementing the programme and
National Award was given by the Hon’ble Minister
for Women and Child Development during the
celebration of the National Girl Child Day in Delhi
on 24th January, 2017 for the good performance
of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme for
“Effective Community Engagement ”.
2.5 THE PROHIBITION OF CHILD MARRIAGE

ACT, 2006
Child marriage is a marriage, according to
the Indian Law, where either the woman is below
18 years or the man is below 21 years. Most child
marriages involve under aged women, many of
20
whom are in poor socio-economic conditions and
without awareness about the ill effects of child
marriage.
Child marriage still remains a common
phenomenon in India, despite endeavors on the
part of the Government and Civil Society to
eradicate it. In order to eradicate the child
marriages within the society, the Government of
India enacted the Prohibition of Child Marriage
Act, 2006 repealing the earlier legislation of the
Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929. This
legislation is armed with enabling provisions to
prohibit child marriages, protect and provide relief
to victims and has enhanced punishment for
those who abet, promote or solemnize such
marriages.
Implementation of the Act

To implement the Act, the Government of
Tamil Nadu have framed and notified the State
Rules on 30.12.2009. The District Social Welfare
Officers of each District are appointed as Child
21
Marriage Prohibition Officer to implement the Act
effectively. The Child Marriage Prohibition Officers
are vested with powers to act upon any
information of solemnization through any mode of
communication. On receipt of such information
they can file a petition for annulling the Child
Marriage in District Courts and seek orders for the
custody and maintenance of the children.
Panchayat Level Core Committees have
been constituted under the Chairmanship of
Panchayat Presidents to report and prevent child
marriages.
Steps taken for creating awareness to

prevent child marriage
1. Creation of awareness among the public
regarding child marriage through various
programmes like Puppet Show, Street
Plays, Rallies and Seminars.
2. In order to protect the Girl Children from
the evil of Child Marriage, a Documentary
Film was produced and telecasted in
Television. The Government of India has
telecasted this documentary film in
Doordarshan with english subtitles.
22
3. The various welfare schemes implemented
by Tamil Nadu Government focus on the
education of girl children. The marriage
assistance schemes have been designed to
benefit the girl who has completed 18 years
of age, with the aim of eradicating child
marriages.
4. Caravan Campaign has been organized in
collaboration with UNICEF in 13 districts to
create awareness against the child
marriages.
5. The Act and Rules have been translated in
Tamil and distributed at free of cost to the
public to create awareness about the Act
and Rules. Since 2008 around 5,037 child
marriages have been stopped in Tamil
Nadu.
2.6 CRECHES FOR THE CHILDREN OF
WORKING AND AILING MOTHERS
Creche is a place where young children
are cared for during the day while their parents
are away or engaged with some work. In Tamil
Nadu creches are established by the
Government as a measure of support for the
working and ailing mothers. Children between
the age group of 0-5 years, whose parents are
below the poverty line, are admitted in the
23
creches. The children are provided with
supplementary food and education at the
creches.
Creches and Day Care Services are not
only required for working mothers but also for
women belonging to poor families and ailing
mothers who require support and relief from
child care responsibilities as they struggle to
cope with the burden of work, within and outside
the home.
At present, there are 6 creches run by
Voluntary Organizations in 4 districts viz.
Kanniyakumari, Sivagangai, Tirunelveli and
Vellore with the help of State Government
grants. A sum of `25,410/- per annum is given
as grant to each creche for taking care of
25 children.
in the Budget Estimate for the year
24
2.7 HOMES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL
NEEDS
4 homes for children with special needs are

being run by the department through Non
Governmental Organisations in the following
districts:-
1. Premavasam, Kancheepuram
2. Sri Arunodhayam Trust, Chennai
3. Families for Children, Coimbatore
4. Community Health Education Society
(CHES), Tiruvallur
At present 137 children are provided with
necessary care and facilities in these Special
Need Homes. An amount of `120 per child per
day is being given as grant to the Non
Governmental Organisations for the maintenance
of the Special Need Children.
in the Budget Estimate 2017-2018 for this
Scheme.
********
25
CHAPTER - 3
WOMEN WELFARE
3.1 The Government of Tamil Nadu has
been a forerunner in country in formulating
several initiatives and schemes for empowerment
of girl children, women, elderly and the most
marginalized communities in the State in
alignment with the Convention on Elimination of
all forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW), the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), the National Policy for Empowerment of
Women and the State’s Vision 2023.
Focus has been given to destitute women,
widows, orphaned children, needy senior citizens
and marginalized communities like the Third
Genders to achieve social equity and to provide
adequate social security. The underprivileged are
supported by providing food, shelter, medical care
and education through Service Homes and Old
Age Homes and this has helped to improve the
indicators relating to health, nutrition, literacy,
etc. of disadvantaged communities in the State.
26
In Tamil Nadu, the welfare and
empowerment of women have remained as one of
the priorities of the State’s development agenda.
Marriage Assistance Schemes encourage the girls
to take up higher education and provide financial
support to the girls’ parents during marriages.
The schemes have made a positive impact in
improving the female literacy and reducing the
school dropout rate of female children in Tamil
Nadu.
Under this Flagship Scheme, the
Government was providing cash assistance of
`25,000 and 4 gram (22 carat) gold coin for
making Thirumangalyam for Non-Graduates and
`50,000 and 4 gram (22 carat) gold coin for
making Thirumangalyam for Graduates / Diploma
holders from 17.5.2011 to 22.5.2016.
The Government has now enhanced the
4 gram (22 carat) gold coin to 8 gram (22 carat)
gold coin for making Thirumangalyam for all the
five marriage assistance schemes from
27
23.5.2016. To help more poor families to benefit
by this scheme, the annual income ceiling has
been raised from `24,000 to `72,000.
The Service Homes run by the Government
ensure safe and secure environment for all
destitute women where the women can stay with
their children and are given an opportunity to
pursue their education and acquire other skills.
Accommodation, food, education and skill
development training are provided to destitute
women, widows, deserted women, and women in
distress. This facility empowers them to become
confident and lead a dignified life.
To help women who are from economically
weaker sections to be employed, the Government
has provided them facilities to enroll them as
members in the Industrial Co-operative Societies,
where they are trained and engaged in stitching
4 sets of uniforms for school children thus
improving their standard of living.
28
Government implements various welfare
measures specially to address the need of Third
Genders who are socially marginalized.
The department also implements several
social legislations to protect the rights of women
and prevent various crimes like domestic violence
and dowry related incidents viz., Dowry
Prohibition Act,1961, Protection of Women from
Domestic Violence Act,2005, Sexual Harassment
of Women at Work Place (Prevention, Prohibition
and Redressal) Act,2013 and Tamil Nadu Hostels
and Homes for Women and Children (Regulation)
Act,2014.
In 1993, the Tamil Nadu State Commission
for Women was constituted which is dealing with
complaints related to crimes against women and
sexual harassment at work place.
3.2 MARRIAGE ASSISTANCE SCHEMES

In Tamil Nadu, it is customary to wear
Thirumangalyam made of gold for marriages. The
cost of gold often puts a burden on the parents
29
apart from the other marriage expenses. In order
to help poor parents and to encourage them to
educate their daughters till the right age,
Marriage Assistance Schemes were introduced by
the Government.
The Government is implementing Five
Marriage Assistance Schemes for the daughters of
poor parents, orphan girls, widows who re-marry,
widow daughter’s marriage and inter-caste
married couples.
The percentage of graduate beneficiaries
has increased from 28% in 2011-12 to that of
60% in 2016-2017.
1,52,500 beneficiaries have availed the
benefits under the five Marriage Assistance
schemes during the year 2016-2017.
3.2.1 MOOVALUR RAMAMIRTHAM

AMMAIYAR NINAIVU MARRIAGE
ASSISTANCE SCHEME
This scheme provides marriage assistance

to the poor girls who have attained the age of 18
30
years at the time of marriage and should have
studied upto X Standard and in the case of
Scheduled Tribes, they should have studied upto
V Standard. Along with cash assistance of
`25,000 for non-graduates and `50,000 for
Graduates/Diploma holders, one sovereign
(8 gram) 22 carat gold coin are provided under
this scheme with effect from 23.05.2016. In case
of death of parents, the assistance is given to the
daughter. To avail benefit under this scheme, the
annual income of the family should not exceed
`72,000.
A sum of `67,078.50 lakh has been
provided in the Budget Estimate of
2017-2018 for this Scheme.
3.2.2 Dr.DHARMAMBAL AMMAIYAR NINAIVU

WIDOW REMARRIAGE ASSISTANCE
SCHEME
Widow remarriage gives a new beginning
towards women empowerment and rights of
women and brings a change in the lives of young
widows who remarry. The Government launched
31
Dr. Dharmambal Ammaiyar Ninaivu Widow
Remarriage Assistance Scheme to provide a life of
respect, social acceptance and dignity for the
young widows. Cash assistance of `25,000, out of
which `15,000 is disbursed through Electronic
Clearing Service (ECS) and `10,000 as National
Savings Certificate (NSC) for non graduates and
`50,000 for the degree/diploma holders out of
which `30,000 is disbursed through Electronic
Clearing Service(ECS) and `20,000 as National
Savings Certificate(NSC) are given along with one
sovereign (8 gram) 22 carat gold coin with effect
from 23.05.2016. There is no income ceiling and
educational qualification prescribed to avail
benefit under this scheme.
in the Budget Estimate of 2017–2018 for this
scheme.
32
3.2.3 E.V.R. MANIAMMAIYAR NINAIVU
MARRIAGE ASSISTANCE SCHEME FOR
DAUGHTER OF POOR WIDOWS
To help the poor widows to get their
daughter married, E.V.R. Maniammaiyar Ninaivu
Marriage Assistance Scheme is being
implemented by the Government. Financial
assistance of `25,000 for non-graduates and
`50,000 for degree / diploma holders is given
along with one sovereign (8 gram) 22 carat gold
coin with effect from 23.05.2016. To avail benefit
under this scheme, the annual income of the
family should not exceed `72,000.
2017–2018 for this Scheme.
3.2.4 ANNAI TERESA NINAIVU MARRIAGE

ASSISTANCE SCHEME FOR ORPHAN
GIRLS
In order to help poor orphan girls and to
enable them to get married, the Government
provides financial assistance of `25,000 for non
33
graduates and `50,000 for degree / diploma
holders along with one sovereign (8gram)
22 carat, gold coin with effect from 23.05.2016.
There is no income ceiling for availing benefit
under this marriage assistance scheme.
A sum of `373.75 lakh has been
3.2.5 Dr. MUTHULAKSHMI REDDY NINAIVU

INTER-CASTE MARRIAGE ASSISTANCE
SCHEME
To eradicate caste based discrimination and
promote social equality among communities,
the Government of Tamil Nadu has been
implementing the Inter-Caste Marriage Assistance
Scheme. Cash assistance of `25,000 out of which
`15,000 is disbursed through Electronic Clearing
Service (ECS) and `10,000 in the form of National
Saving Certificate to non graduates and cash
assistance of `50,000 for degree / diploma
holders out of which `30,000 is disbursed through
Electronic Clearance Service (ECS) and `20,000
34
as National Savings Certificate (NSC) given along
with one sovereign (8 gram) 22 carat gold coin is
given with effect from 23.05.2016. There is no
income ceiling and educational qualification is not
necessary for this scheme.
Types of Inter-caste Marriage
Scheme – I : Either of the spouse of the Inter-

caste married couples should be from Scheduled
Caste or Scheduled Tribe while the other spouse
may be from any other Community.
Scheme – II : Either of the spouse should be

from forward or other community and the other
spouse may be from Backward Class/Most
Backward Class.

provided in the Budget Estimate 2017–2018
for this Scheme.
3.3 GOVERNMENT SERVICE HOMES
Service Homes are run by the Government

to provide care and protection to deserted wives,
35
widows, girls, economically backward women
rescued from child marriages and neglected by
their families. Nine Government Service Homes,
one each at Chennai, Salem, Cuddalore,
Thanjavur, Tirunelveli, Sivagangai, Krishnagiri,
Madurai and Perambalur are functioning in Tamil
Nadu. Women who have discontinued their
studies due to various situations are encouraged
to stay along with their children and pursue their
schooling in the same place.
The Service Homes provide accommodation,
food, health and medical facilities to the inmates.
Girl children can stay up to XII Standard, while
the male children can stay up to V Standard in
the Service Homes. Vocational Trainings are also
provided to enhance their skills. Spoken English,
Computer Training, Counselling and Career
Guidance Facilities are also made for the girls in
the Service Homes. In order to step up the
security of the girl children and women staying in
the Service Homes, CCTV Cameras have been
installed in the Service Homes.
36
To help more poor girls to benefit from
this scheme, the annual income ceiling has been
raised from `24,000 to `72,000.
3.3.1 Higher Education to girls

Girl children who have completed 12th
standard in the Service Homes are encouraged to
take up higher studies for which the Government
provides financial assistance of `50,000 for
pursuing professional courses and `30,000 for
Degree/ Diploma courses.
in the Budget Estimate of 2017-2018 for
this Scheme.
3.3.2 Secondary Grade Teacher Training

Institute
Girl Children who have completed Higher

Secondary education in Government Service
Homes are eligible for admissions into the
Secondary Grade Teacher Training Institute at
37
Tambaram. 40 students are enrolled for the
2 years Teacher Training Course in this Institute.
Study tour is also organized every year to provide
them an opportunity to visit historical places,
museums, science exhibitions, zoological parks
and amusement parks. To provide additional
living space for the inmates of the Teacher
Training Institute, a new dormitory has been
constructed at a cost of `1 crore.
in the Budget Estimate of 2017-2018 for this
Scheme.
3.4 GOVERNMENT WORKING WOMEN’S

HOSTELS
Young women have more job opportunities
in the cities and towns and hence they are
compelled to stay away from their homes on
account of their employment. Hence, they need a
safe and secure housing facilities in the cities at a
relatively affordable cost. For this reason, the
Government runs 28 Working Women’s Hostels in
18 districts, throughout the State. Women who
earn upto `25,000 per month in Chennai and
38
`15,000 per month in other places are eligible to
stay in these working women hostels. The
monthly rent is fixed for `300 in Chennai and
`200 in other places. Sharing / Dividing system is
followed for food expenses, electricity and other
charges. The staff salary is paid by the
Government.
2017-2018 for the Working Women Hostels.
3.5 SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

SCHEMES FOR WOMEN
Government of Tamil Nadu implement

various special schemes for the socio economic
development of women through Co-operative
Societies. The empowerment of women not only
fulfills their economic needs but also makes them
independent by using their skill and intelligence
which paves the way for gender equality.
With the above vision in mind, 98 Industrial
Co-operative Societies are functioning under the
39
administrative control of Director of Social
Welfare.
Out of these Societies, 80 Women Tailoring
Industrial Co-operative Societies engage their
members in tailoring activities i.e. production of
4 sets of uniform for students covered under
Puratchi Thalaivar MGR Nutritious Meal
Programme, school children of Adi Dravidar and
Tribal Welfare Department, Backward Classes,
Most Backward Classes and Minority Welfare
Department and other Welfare Departments. The
other 18 Societies engage their members in
manufacturing products like registers, records,
chalks and coir products in addition to the
tailoring work.
25 Weaning Food Manufacturing Societies
are functioning under the administrative control of
the Director cum Mission Director of Integrated
Child Development Services Scheme.
40
Details of Cooperative Societies and
members enrolled are as follows:
No. of
S. No. of
Type of Society Coopearative
No. Members
Societies
1. Women Tailoring 80 73,047

Industrial
Cooperative
Societies
2. Women 15 1,017
Stationery
Industrial
Cooperative
Societies
3 Weaning Food 25 1,450

Manufacturing
Women
Industrial
Cooperative
Societies
4 Other Industrial 3 1,743

Cooperative
Societies
Total 123 77,257
41
These Industrial Co-operative Societies are
functioning exclusively for the women who are
from the poorer sections of the society. The
women above the age of 18 years, below the
poverty line, destitute and deserted women with a
skill in tailoring alone are eligible to become the
members of the societies and they are provided
with employment opportunities with a decent
income throughout the year. The Government
have issued orders to provide 4 sets of uniform
from the academic year 2012-2013. The 4 sets of
uniforms provided to 43 lakh children during the
year 2016-2017 have been stitched by the
members of these societies. The stitching charges
of uniform has been doubled from the year
2011-2012 onwards and every year an average of
`90 crore is being allocated for this purpose by
the School Education Department.
The production of uniform by the women
members of Tailoring Industrial Co-operative
42
Societies gives them an opportunity to earn
considerable income for their livelihood.
15,500 Advanced type of sewing machines
were provided to the members of Women
Industrial Co-operative Societies with 10%
Government subsidy. This has improved the
quality of stitching of uniform and increased the
productivity of the Women Industrial Co-operative
Tailoring Societies.
These Societies are playing a vital role in
the implementation of Social Welfare Schemes
which gives social status empowerment and
economic development to the poorer section of
women.
Women Tailoring Training Centres are
functioning at Salem and Tiruvannamalai
exclusively for the tribal women. In these
centres, 35 tribal women are trained every year.
43
3.6 SATHIYAVANIMUTHU AMMAIYAR
NINAIVU FREE SUPPLY OF SEWING
MACHINE SCHEME
To enhance the livelihoods of widows,
deserted wives, women from economically weaker
sections, differently abled men and women
through self employment, the Government
provide free motorized sewing machines with
additional features through the Social Welfare and
Nutritious Meal Programme Department.
To help more poor people to benefit from
this scheme, the annual income ceiling has been
raised from `24,000 to `72,000.
2017-2018 for this Scheme.
3.7 TAMIL NADU STATE COMMISSION FOR

WOMEN
The Tamil Nadu State Commission for
Women, which is a Statutory body was
constituted in 1993 to deal with the cases relating
to crimes against women and to safeguard the
44
rights of women. The Chairperson and 9
Members, appointed by Government are
empowered to investigate specific problems of
women and to take action to provide speedy relief
to the petitioners. The Commission also takes up
studies related to women issues and recommends
changes to the Government.
The Commission also ensures the
implementation of the provisions of various Acts
like Dowry Prohibition Act,1961, Protection of
Women from Domestic Violence Act,2005, and
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act,2013
and takes steps to ensure gender equality and
protection of women against all forms of
harassment faced within the families and at work
places.
3.7.1 The Role of Women Commission
1. Adherence to the provisions and protection
provided under the Constitution and
Legislation for women are taken care by the
Women Commission.
45
2. Report to Government when the protective
measures for women are not effectively
implemented by various agencies.
3. Recommends amendments in the provisions
of law when it fails to impart justice to
women.
4. Takes up issues related to violation of rights
of women and follow-up action with the
concerned authorities.
Aggrieved women with complaints of
violation of their rights and non-implementation
of their protective measures guaranteed under
the Constitution of India can directly approach
Women Commission for redressal. The Women
Commission also organizes legal awareness
programmes for the women and girls through
National Commission for Women.
3.8 TAMIL NADU SOCIAL WELFARE BOARD

The Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Board which
was constituted in 1954 has been working for the
development of Women and Children through
Voluntary Institutions in the State with the
following objectives:-
46
1. To encourage and promote voluntary effort
in the field of Women and Children.
2. To render technical and financial assistance

to the Voluntary Institutions for better
quality and standard of services.
3. To monitor the Programmes aided by

Central Social Welfare Board allotted by
State Government for effective
implementation.
The Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Board
consists of a Chairperson and 30 Non Official
Members. Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Board
provides support to Voluntary Organisations for a
variety of programmes to facilitate and
strengthen their role in empowering women
through education, training, awareness creation
and income generating facilities by provision of
support services to the Non Governmental
Organisation.
47
3.8.1 Grants received from State
Government to Non-Governmental
Orgranisation for working in
rural areas through Tamil Nadu
Social Welfare Board
The Government of Tamil Nadu provide

`10.00 lakh every year to the State Social Welfare
Board to help 200 registered Voluntary
Organisations who have completed 3 years after
its registration under the Societies Registration
Act/Trust Act. This grant is extended for the
voluntary institutions who are working for the
welfare of women and children. An amount of
`5,000/- is being given as one-time matching
grant on 50:50 ratio.

3.9 FAMILY COUNSELLING CENTRES (AIDED
BY STATE GOVERNMENT)
The Government of Tamil Nadu is
assisting six Family Counselling Centres in
48
Chennai, Thiruvallur, Villupuram, Thiruvarur,
Tirunelveli and Sivagangai run by the Non
Governmental Organisation through the Tamil
Nadu Social Welfare Board. The Government has
sanctioned a sum of `4.80 lakh for the year
2017-2018. The main aim of this Family
Counselling Centre is to provide counseling to
preserve the basic social unit of a family. It
helps women who approach the centre to redress
their grievances relating to dowry harassment,
marital maladjustment, cases of alcoholism and
counseling to AIDS victims by giving suitable and
appropriate guidance.
The State Government also provides
assistance to the six family counsellors those who
are serving in All Women Police Stations aided by
Central Government and run through Non
Governmental Organisations for amicably solving
family disputes arising out of alcoholism, drug
addiction, dowry harassment, etc. The counsellors
provide counselling services to help to change the
49
negative attitudes and to bring good family
environment where women will be treated with
respect and dignity. Every year, the State
Government provides an additional honorarium of
`3,500 per month per counsellor.
Family Counselling Centre (Government of
India through Central Social Welfare Board)
In Tamil Nadu, the Family Counselling
Centres are functioning since 1984 supported
by Government of India, through Central
Social Welfare Board. There are 62 centres
functioning in the entire State. During 2016-2017,
`198.40 lakh was sanctioned and 59,520 persons
were benefited under this programme.
Out of 62 Family Counselling Centres, 2 are
functioning at Central Women Prisons in Vellore
and Puzhal, Chennai and 3 Family Counselling
Centres are functioning in All Women Police
Stations at Police Commissioner’s Office,
Thousand Lights Police Station and Flower Bazaar
Police Station in Chennai.
50
Details of sanctions aided by Tamil Nadu
Social Welfare Board in 2016-2017
Organisations
beneficiaries
No. of Units
Voluntary
Allotment
(`in lakh)
Budget
No. of
No. of
State
Government 207 209 17.32 8840
Central
267 954 1434.55 82170
Government
RAJIV GANDHI NATIONAL CRECHE SCHEME

(Government of India Scheme implemented
through Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Board
and Indian Council for Child Welfare)
To give a helping hand to ailing mothers

and working women, Creche Programme was
initiated to benefit their children. Children in the
age group of 6 months to 6 years are given care
and protection by 2 trained creche workers from
morning to evening when the parents are away.
The children are provided three meals,
recreational and educational facilities for their
physical and mental growth. During the year
2016-2017, a sum of `1236.15 lakh was
51
sanctioned by the Government of India to cater to
the needs of 892 creche units benefiting 22,650
Children.
3.10 TAMIL NADU THIRD GENDERS WELFARE

BOARD
The Government has taken initiatives in
interests of the welfare of Third Genders so as to
mainstream them in all walks of social life.
The Government has constituted a Welfare
Board for Third Gender to redress their grievances
through welfare measures. The Tamil Nadu Third
Gender Welfare Board consists of 11 Official
Members including the Hon’ble Minister for Social
Welfare and Nutritious Noon Meal Programme as
its Chairperson and 9 Non-Official Members (Third
Genders).
The foremost difficulty faced by the Third

Genders is to earn their livelihood through a
decent and respectable profession. To empower
the Third Genders economically, Bank loans upto
`15.00 lakh with 25% subsidy are provided to the
52
Third Genders Self Help Groups to take up income
generating activities. Through the Third Gender
Welfare Board, economic activities like provision
stores, rearing of milch animals, canteens,
production units of soap, napkin, milk products,
plying passenger autos, load autos and business
activities related to cloth, coir, rice etc., have
been taken up by Third Gender Self Help Groups.
51 Third Gender Self Help Groups, with 442
Third Gender members have been provided
assistance for various projects totalling
`2.20 Crore with 25% subsidy amounting to
`55.00 lakh and `1.65 crore as bank loan.
The Government introduced a Pension

scheme for destitute Third Genders who are
above 40 years, wherein `1,000 is paid as
monthly pension which is first of its kind in India.
Presently, 1,000 Third Genders are being
provided with monthly pension under this
scheme.
53
Douments like Birth Certificate, Educational
Certificate, Community Certificate and other
essential identity cards like Ration Card, Voter
Identity Card etc. and housing facilities are
provided through convergence with other
departments.

provided in the Budget Estimate 2017-2018
for the welfare of the Third Gender.
3.11 LEGISLATIONS PERTAINING TO

WELFARE OF WOMEN
Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal
Programme Department being the Nodal Agency
implements the following Legislations pertaining
to women for their protection and rights:-
1. Dowry Prohibition Act,1961
2. Protection of Women from Domestic

Violence Act, 2005 and its Rules, 2006.
3. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Work

Place (Prevention, Prohibition and
Redressal) Act, 2013.
54
4. Tamil Nadu Hostels and Homes for Women
and Children (Regulation) Act, 2014 and
Tamil Nadu Hostels and Homes for Women
and Children (Regulation) Rules,2015.
3.12.1 PROTECTION OF WOMEN FROM

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT, 2005
This Act has a special feature with specific

provisions under law which provides protection to
a woman to live in violence free home. The Act
ensures a woman’s right to reside in her
matrimonial home. Though this Act has civil and
criminal provisions, a woman victim can get
immediate civil remedies within 60 days.
Aggrieved women can file cases under this Act
against her husband and his relatives. This Act
provides for more effective protection of victims
of violence within the family.
Salient features of the Act
• Ensures Right to Residence under Section 17.
• Protection order prohibiting the respondents
from commiiting any act of Domestic Violence.
• Monetary relief for maintenance.
• Recognises verbal and emotional violence.
55
• Provides temporary custody of child to the
women.
• Compensation for injuries, mental torture,
emotional distress is ensured.
• Getting interim order, Judgements within 60
days of filing of the case.
• Multiple Judgements in a single case.
• Cases can be filed under Prevention of Women
from Domestic Violence Act,2005 in addition or
even if other cases and legal proceedings are
pending between parties.
• Both petitioner and respondent can prefer
Appeal to the court of sessions within 30 days
from the date on which the order is made.
3.12.2 The following remedies are available
under the Protection of Women from
Domestic Violence Act, 2005
Section 18 -- Protection Order
Section 19 -- Residence Order for

residing at Matrimonial
House
Section 20 -- Monetary Orders which
includes maintenance for
herself and her Children
Section 21 -- Temporary Custody of
Children
Section 22 -- Compensation order for the
damages caused to her
56
3.12.3 PROTECTION OFFICERS
Protection Officers have been appointed by

the Government to help the aggrieved woman in
filing the cases against respondents who have
committed domestic violence and who is in
domestic relationship with the petitioner. The
Protection Officer facilitates the women to
approach the court. They ensure that the
petitioner is provided legal aid and gets
appropriate relief from the courts concerned.
Further, they execute the orders of the Court
wherever necessary with the help of police. The
Protection Officers are placed at District Social
Welfare Office in each District. Options are also
available to the aggrieved person to file the
petition before the Judicial Magistrate Court
directly or with the help of Service Provider or if
Police receives the complaint, petitioner has to be
assisted to file the petition before court.
57
3.12.4 SERVICE PROVIDERS
Under the Protection of Women from
Domestic Violence Act, 2005, Service Providers
are the members from notified Non Governmental
Organizations. They coordinate with all the
stakeholders in getting justice and relief to the
victims of domestic violence. The Service
Providers help the aggrieved women in filing the
Domestic Incident Report (DIR), provide
accommodation in the Short Stay Homes along
with their children, counsel them and help the
aggrieved women to get medical treatment if
necessary. Based on the need they also impart
vocational training to help them secure
employment and sustainable income. 33 Service
Providers have been appointed by the
Government i.e. Two in Chennai and one in each
District.
3.12.5 SHELTER HOMES AND MEDICAL
FACILITIES
The Government has taken steps to
implement the Protection of Women from
58
Domestic Violence Act, 2005, under which, 98
Shelter Homes have been notified and are
functioning in the State. About 1,849 Medical
Institutions which include Government Hospitals,
Primary Health Centers and Government Medical
College Hospitals, ESI dispensaries, etc have been
notified as “Medical facilities”, to provide medical
support to the victims of violence.
3.13 DOWRY PROHIBITION ACT,1961
The Dowry Prohibition Act was passed in
1961 and the Tamil Nadu Dowry Prohibition Rules
were framed in 2004. The Act is being
implemented by the District Social Welfare
Officers who are designated as the Dowry
Prohibition Officers as per the Dowry Prohibition
Rules, 2004. Necessary training is imparted to the
District Social Welfare Officers for the effective
implementation of the Act. Complaints filed with
the District Social Welfare Officers and complaints
referred by the Police are enquired into by the
Dowry Prohibition Officers relating to the dowry.
59
The genuineness of the case is verified by the
District Social Welfare Officers and accordingly a
report is filed with the Police or Court for taking
necessary action under Dowry Prohibition Act,
1961.
Dowry Prohibition Day is observed on the
26th of November every year. Awareness Creation
Programmes on Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 are
organised by the District Social Welfare Officers in
co-ordination with the District Administration on
that day.
3.14 TAMIL NADU HOSTELS AND HOMES FOR

WOMEN AND CHILDREN (REGULATION)
ACT, 2014
In order to enhance security and prevent

acts of violence against children and women who
are accommodated in places away from their
homes and for regulating the functioning of these
homes, hostels and other residential places where
children / adolescent girls / women are
accommodated, the Government of Tamil Nadu
60
have enacted Tamil Nadu Hostels and Homes for
Women and Children (Regulation) Act, 2014. The
Tamil Nadu Hostels and Homes for Women and
Children (Regulation) Rules, 2015 has also been
notified in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette.
The District Collectors are the registering
authority for such homes and hostels. This Act is
aimed to reduce unwanted institutionalization of
children and ensure security for the working
women living in hostels.
3.15 STATE RESOURCE CENTRE FOR WOMEN

(SRCW)
The State Resource Centre for Women
(SRCW) is an initiative of National Mission for
Empowerment of Women, Government of India,
functioning in the Directorate of Social Welfare
with a primary objective to work for holistic
empowerment of women through convergence of
initiatives of other women-centric schemes
through awareness generation programmes. The
State Resource Centre for Women implements the
61
following schemes of Government of India since
2012:-
3.15.1 SAKHI (ONE STOP CENTRE-OSC)
The objective of the One Stop Centre (OSC)
Scheme is to provide integrated support and
assistance to women affected by violence, both in
private and public spaces under one roof and to
facilitate immediate, emergency and non-
emergency access to a range of services including
medical, legal, psychological and counselling
support. The Government has started a One Stop
Centre in Chennai on a pilot basis and the centre
caters to women in difficult situation by providing
them counselling, medical, legal and short stay
facilities.
3.15.2 WOMEN HELP LINE SCHEME (WHL)
The Women Help Line Scheme is intended
to provide toll-free 24 hours service to women
affected by violence seeking support and
information. It facilitates crisis and non-crisis
intervention through referral to the appropriate
62
agencies such as Police / Hospitals / Ambulance
Services / District Legal Services Authority (DLSA)
/ Protection Officer (PO) to the women affected by
violence. In Chennai, the Women Helpline (WHL)
will be integrated with One Stop Centre in the
current year.
3.15.3 VILLAGE CONVERGENCE AND
FACILITATION SERVICE (VCFS)
The primary objective of Village
Convergence and Facilitation Service (VCFS) is to
work for holistic empowerment of women in the
State. It facilitates Government and other
stakeholders involved in women empowerment
issues to implement Gender sensitive
programmes, laws and schemes through effective
coordination and convergence of women centric
programmes/ schemes. In Tamil Nadu, Cuddalore
District has been identified for the implementation
of Village Convergence and Facilitation Service
Scheme.
63
3.15.4 POORNA SAKTHI KENDRA (PSK)
The Poorna Sakthi Kendra is the focal point
of action on ground through which the services to
women at grassroot level would be facilitated. In
Tamil Nadu, Poorna Sakthi Kendra (PSK) is being
implemented in 10 Village Panchayats in Salem
District under the National Mission for
Empowerment of Women, Government of India.
Various awareness programmes and convergence
services are being implemented in the District,
Block and Village levels through Poorna Sakthi
Kendra (PSK) team in convergence with the
District Administration.
3.16 SWADHAR GREH

The Government of India has introduced
‘Swadhar Greh’ in 2016 by merging two schemes
namely, ‘Swadhar’ and ‘Short Stay Homes’.
Accordingly, 26 Short Stay Homes functioning
under the Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Board and
12 Swadhar Homes functioning under the
Directorate of Social Defence were merged as
64
Swadhar Greh and brought under the control of
Directorate of Social Welfare.
The Scheme provides accommodation and
training to women in difficult circumstances. At
present, 38 Swadhar Greh Homes are functioning
in the State. Each Centre is catering to the needs
of 30 women. The scheme is implemented
through Non-Governmental Organisations with a
sharing pattern of 60:30:10 between Centre,
State and Non-Governmental Organisations.
3.17 STATE AWARDS

March 8th, being the International Women’s
Day is a day dedicated for the women across the
world. To mark this occasion, the “Avvaiyar
Award”(State Award) is given to one eminent
woman who has rendered excellent service in any
one field such as Social Reform, Women
Development, Communal harmony, Service for
language, Service in various disciplines in Art,
Science, Culture, Press, Administration, etc., A
Gold Medal weighing 8 gram (22 carat), cash
65
award of `1.00 lakh as Cheque, a Shawl and a
Citation are given to the recipient of the Avvaiyar
Award.
Every year on Independence Day, Awards
for Best Social Worker for outstanding work done
for women and Best Institution for serving women
are given. The Best Social Worker is given
22 carat Gold Medal weighing 10 grams, a Shawl
and a Citation and the Best Institution is given a
cash award of `50,000 in addition to a shawl and
a gold medal.
*********
66
CHAPTER - 4
PURATCHI THALAIVAR M.G.R. NUTRITIOUS
MEAL PROGRAMME
4.1 Tamil Nadu is a pioneering State which

introduced the Nutritious Meal progamme during
the year 1982. The objective was to enhance the
enrolment of students and retain the attendance
in schools and simultaneously to improve the
nutritional levels among children. A Child who is
hungry or ill cannot concentrate in his/her studies
with full attention. Due to this factor a free hot
cooked lunch is being provided to children in
Primary and Upper Primary Classes upto Tenth
Standard in Government, Government aided
Schools, Special Training Centres, Madarasas and
Maktabs supported under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
4.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

1. To maximize enrollment and reduce school
dropout rates with a view to universalize
elementary education.
2. To provide nutrition to the under fed and
under nourished children.
67
3. To encourage children from disadvantaged
backgrounds to attend school regularly and
to help them in attaining formal education.
4. To empower women by offering employment
opportunities
4.3. SALIENT FEATURES OF THE SCHEME

i. Primary School children in the age group of
5-9 years and Upper Primary School
children in the age group of 10-15 years are
provided with hot cooked nutritious variety
meals inside the school campus itself, for
five school days in a week for a total of
220 days in a year.
ii. The children enrolled under National Child
Labour Project Special Schools in 16
Districts viz., Kancheepuram, Vellore,
Tiruvannamalai, Namakkal, Dharmapuri,
Krishnagiri, Salem, Coimbatore, Erode,
Tiruppur, Thiruchirappalli, Dindigul,
Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and
Chennai are also provided with hot cooked
nutritious variety meals for 312 days in a
year.
iii. Foodgrains (rice) @ 100 gm per child per
school day for primary children (1st Std. to
5th Std.) and @ 150 gm for upper primary
and high school (6th Std. to 10th Std.) is
provided.
68
4.4 GROWTH OF NUTRITIOUS MEAL
PROGRAMME IN THE STATE
The Nutritious Noon Meal Programme

was introduced by the then Chief Minister
Dr.Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. with effect from
01.07.1982 for the Children in the age groups of
2 to 5 years and 5 to 9 years in primary schools.
The scheme was extended to urban areas with
effect from 15.09.1982 and further extended to
all the children in the age group of 10-15 years
with effect from 15.09.1984.
Scheme
extended to
15.09.1984
the children
in the age
Scheme group of
15.09.1982 extended to 10 to 15
Urban areas years
Scheme launched
in Rural areas for
01.07.1982 age groups of 2
to 5 years & 5 to
9 Years
69
4.5 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL
Nutritious Meal Centres functioning in the

schools in Chennai District as well as in all
31 Districts of the State come under the
administrative control of the Directorate of Social
Welfare. The Officials from Rural Development
and Panchayat Raj Department implement the
programme in all the 31 Districts except Chennai
District of the State. The Additional Educational
Officer (AEO) under the guidance of District
Educational Officer (DEO) of Chennai Corporation
implement the scheme in Chennai District.
The pre-school Nutritious Meal Centres

catering to the children in the age group of 2 to
5 years are under the administrative control of
Director-cum-Mission Director of Integrated Child
Development Services Scheme.
70
4.6 BENEFICIARIES IN SCHOOLS
(NUTRITIOUS MEAL CENTRES) 2017-18
The total number of beneficiaries in Primary

Schools (1st Std. to 5th Std.) are 26,18,063
covering 26,810 Noon Meal Centres.
The total number of beneficiaries in Upper

Primary Schools (6th Std. to 8th Std.) are
20,63,766 and in respect of 9th Standard and 10th
Standard are 6,41,770 covering 16,064 Noon
Meal Centres. As regards the National Child
Labour Project 7,612 beneficiaries are covered by
269 Noon Meal Centres. Thus the total number of
beneficiaries are 53,31,211 in 43,143 Noon
Meal Centres during the year 2017-2018.
4.6.1 Fixation of Feeding Strength
Based on the reports received from the

Block Development Officers concerned, the
District Collectors arrive at the number of
beneficiaries at each centre, during each
academic year, and the same is reviewed
71
periodically every trimester. Further, all possible
steps are taken by the District Administration to
cover all the enrolled children in eligible schools
under the programme as per the Right of children
to free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act,
2009.
4.7 PROVISION OF NUTRITIOUS MEAL TO

CHILDREN
4.7.1 Introduction of Variety Meals
As a special nutritional intervention 13 kinds
of variety menu with 5 different kinds of egg
masalas were introduced during the year 2013 in
one pilot block of each district. After ascertaining
the success of this scheme, the variety meals
programme has been extended to the rest of the
blocks in all Districts from 15.8.2014. Elaborate
training was provided to the cooks and field staff
in a phased manner and the system was
strengthened. The menu of Variety Meals is
detailed as follows:-
72
Days FIRST AND SECOND AND
THIRD WEEK FOURTH WEEK
Monday Vegetable Biriyani Sambar Sadham
with Pepper Egg (Bisibelabath)
with Onion
Tomato Masala
Egg.
Tuesday Black Bengal Gram Mixed Meal
Pulav Maker with
(bfh©il¡fliy Vegetable Rice
òyÎ) with Tomato and Pepper Egg
Masala Egg.
Wednesday Tomato Rice with Tamarind Rice
Pepper Egg with Tomato
Masala Egg
Thursday Rice, Sambar and Lemon Rice,
Boiled Egg Sundal and
Tomato Egg
Friday Curry Leaf Rice / Rice, Sambar
Keerai Sadham and Boiled Egg
with Masala Egg with Fried
and Chilly Fried Potato.
Potato.
4.7.2 Provision of egg in Noon Meals for

Children
Along with hot cooked nutritious meals, all

willing enrolled children are provided with an egg
with minimum weight of 46 gms on all school
working days. An egg weighing 46 gms provides
73
6.12 gms of protein and 80 kcal of energy. The
cost of the eggs is fully met by the State
Government.
Eggs of ‘A’ medium grade Agmark

specification are procured through State level
tender by following the provisions of the Tamil
Nadu Transparency in Tenders Act,1998 and
Rules,2000 framed thereunder. Eggs weighing a
minimum of 46 gms to a maximum of 52 gms are
supplied directly to the Noon Meal Centres. In
order to strengthen the monitoring measures,
stamping of eggs with food graded colours has
been put into practice.
Initially, during the year 1989, one egg was
provided on fortnight basis and in 1998 one egg
was provided on a weekly basis to all the
children. Later, during the years 2005, 2007 and
2010, the number of eggs per child was
increased to 2, 3 and 5 respectively.
74
4.7.3 Introduction of Pulses – Bengal Gram /
Green Gram
During first and third week of a month, on

Tuesdays, 20 gms of ‘Black Bengal Gram’ is
provided to each child in the form of ‘Pulav’
(bfh©il¡fliy òyÎ) which provides 72 kcal of
energy and 3.42 gms of protein.
During second and fourth week of a month

on Thursday, 20 gms of Green Gram is provided
to each child which provides 67 kcal of energy
and 4.80 gms of protein.
4.7.4 Introduction of Potatoes
To increase the carbohydrate content, all

children are provided with 20 gms of chilly fried
potato, every Friday which has 19.04 kcal of
energy and 0.32 gms of protein. Potatoes are
bought by the Noon Meal Organisers from the
local market. The amount for the procurement of
20 gms of Potato has been enhanced from
16 paise to 40 paise from the year 2015.
75
4.7.5 Introduction of Banana
Children who are not willing to eat egg are
provided with Banana weighing 100 gms which
provides 1.2 gms of protein and 116 kcal of
energy. Banana is procured from the local
markets by the Noon Meal Organisers.
4.7.6 Introduction of Double Fortified Salt
and Cooking Oil
In order to address iodine and iron
deficiency among children and as a part of health
intervention programme, Double Fortified Salt is
used for cooking which prevents iodine and iron
deficiencies. Palmolein supplied to Nutritious Meal
Centres by Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation
is fortified with Vitamin A & Vitamin D.
4.8 NATIONAL PROGRAMME OF MID DAY

MEAL
• The Government of India initiated the
National Programme of Nutritional Support
to Primary Education (NP-NSPE) on
15th August 1995 as a Centrally Sponsored
Scheme. During 1997-98, the scheme was
76
universalized across all blocks of the
country covering children from 1st standard
to 5th standard. During October 2007, the
scheme was extended to upper primary
classes of 6th standard to 8th standard and
the name was changed from ‘National
Programme for Nutritional Support to
Primary Education’ to ‘National Programme
of Mid Day Meal in Schools’.
• The Government of India provides fund for
implementing the programme. The funding
pattern between the Centre and the State
has been revised as 60:40 from the year
2015-2016. Accordingly, cooking cost and
honorarium to Cook-cum-Helpers are
shared by Centre and State in the ratio of
60:40, while food grains, transportation of
food grains and Monitoring, Management
and Evaluation (MME) component is 100%
funded by Government of India.
77
• Government of India has fixed the
nutritional norm for primary children as
450 kcal and 12 gms of protein and for
upper primary as 700 kcal and 20 gms of
protein. Considering the best interest of the
children the State Government provides
553.30 kcal and 18.12 gms of protein for
primary children and 733.86 kcal and
21.64 gms of protein for upper primary
children.
• Government of India provides rice at the
rate of `3,000 per MT to children from
1st standard to 8th standard. In addition, a
sum of `750 per Metric tonne is provided as
transportation cost.
• Government of India provides cooking cost
(excluding the labour and administrative
charges) @ `4.13 for primary and `6.18 for
upper primary children. However, the State
Government provides more than the
78
mandatory share of 40% so as to provide
nutritious food to children.
(in `)
MDM Additional
Centre State
Class Norms State Total
(60%) (40%)
(60:40) Contribution
Primary
(1 to 5 4.13 2.48 1.65 2.81 6.94
Std.)
Upper
Primary
6.18 3.71 2.47 0.86 7.04
(6 to 8
Std.)
9th & 10th

100% contribution by State Government 8.61
Std.
4.9 FOOD GRAINS MANAGEMENT

• The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation is
the Nodal Agency to supply food
commodities like Rice, Dhal, Oil, Black
Bengal Gram and Green Gram required for
the Nutritious Meal Programme.
• The Food Corporation of India is responsible
for issue of rice of Fair Average Quality.
• The rice allocated by the Government of
India is lifted by the TNCSC from the Food
Corporation of India and supply directly to
the Noon Meal Centres based on the indent
placed by the District Officials.
79
• The State Government has also extended
the programme to 9th & 10th std children
and the entire expenditure is met out of
State funds. Rice for 9th & 10th std, children
is supplied by the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies
Corporation at the rate of `10,438/-
per MT.
• Double Fortified Salt is procured from the
Tamil Nadu Salt Corporation and distributed
to the Noon Meal Centres by the Tamil Nadu
Civil Supplies Corporation.
• Thus, the network with TNCSC ensures
constant supply of food items directly to the
Noon Meal Centres without any hindrance.
• The Noon Meal Organisers are permitted to
purchase vegetables and condiments locally
using the funds credited as advance grant
into their bank account through Electronic
Clearance System (ECS). From the year
2012, an amount of `1.17 per primary
school child and `1.27 per Upper Primary
school child is provided to the Noon Meal
Organisers towards this purpose.
4.10 INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES
4.10.1 Construction of Kitchen-cum-Stores
The Central Government started providing
100% central assistance for construction of
kitchen-cum-stores in Government schools, since
80
the year 2006-2007 at a flat rate of `60,000/- per
unit. However, from the year 2009 onwards, the
cost of construction of kitchen-cum-stores is
determined on the basis of plinth area norms and
State schedule of rates prevalent in the State.
Now, 20 sq.mt plinth area is admissible for
schools having upto 100 children. For every
additional 100 children, additional 4 sq.mt plinth
area can be added. The expenditure arrived out of
the schedule of rates are shared in the ratio of
60:40 between the Centre and State.
From the year 2006-2007 to 2012-2013, a

sum of `59,035.55 lakh had been sanctioned for
the construction of 28,856 Kitchen-cum-stores
shed. As on 31.03.2017, 20,496 Kitchen-cum-
Stores have been constructed by the Department
of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj. The
construction of the balance Kitchen–cum-Stores
are under progress.
81
4.10.2 Modernisation of Noon Meal Centres
In order to create ‘smoke free atmosphere’ in
the Noon Meal Centres, Modernisation of Noon
Meal Centres, have been taken up and LPG
connection is provided to the centres exclusively
out of State Funds. A sum of `22,350/- is
provided per centre, which is inclusive of the cost
of construction of cooking platform, procurement
of Gas Stove and gas connection (including non
returnable valve, safety measures etc.). The
work in 34,721 centres have been completed and
the work is in progress in 8,422 centres. All Noon
Meal Employees have been provided training by
the respective gas agencies in handling the gas
stoves.
4.10.3 Kitchen Devices
Noon Meal Centres are provided with
sufficient kitchen devices like Aluminium Dabara
with lid, Stainless steel karandi, Indolium kadai
etc., to facilitate cooking. Government of India
provides funds to the tune of `5,000 per Noon
82
Meal Centre as one time Central Assistance for
the procurement of kitchen devices. Stainless
Steel Plates and Tumblers are provided to the
Noon Meal Beneficiaries both out of State and
Central funds. All Noon Meal Centres have also
been provided with mixies to grind masala
exclusively from State fund.
4.10.4 Contingencies
To meet contingent expenditure such as
purchase of cleaning material like soap, Phenyl,
broomstick, etc., each Noon Meal Centre is being
provided funds to the tune of `50 every month.
4.11 TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
In order to ensure transparency and
accountability, all Noon Meal Centres have been
directed to display the following information at a
visible place inside the campus for the information
of the general public :-
i. Number of children enrolled
ii. Number of children provided Mid Day Meal
iii. Daily Menu
iv. Ration for primary and upper primary
children
83
4.12 MONITORING MECHANISM
As a special initiative, since the year 2013,
Social Audit has been introduced to create
awareness among the general public and
to encourage community participation. The
accounts of the Noon Meal Centres are to
be placed before the Grama Sabha twice
in a year (i.e. January 26th and August
15th), in which the students, teachers,
mothers and public participate actively
and the programme is discussed in detail.
Targets have also been fixed for each
official to conduct surprise checks at the
time of serving Mid Day Meal. They are
also expected to examine the quality and
quantity of food cooked and served, the
number of children fed, the stock on hand,
registers maintained etc.
The State Level Steering-cum-Monitoring
Committee under the Chairmanship of
Chief Secretary to Government has been
constituted by the State Government to
implement the programme effectively. In
addition, District level and Block level
committees have also been formed to
review and monitor the progress of the
scheme at the District and Block level.
The Noon Meal Employees and the school
teachers have been instructed to taste
the food half an hour before serving the
84
food to the children. In addition, the
teachers are also maintaining a ‘Taste
Register’ in this regard.
Under the Management Information
System (MIS), the details are updated
monthly on the Government Website
(pertaining to the number of children
benefitted under Mid Day Meal scheme,
number of Noon Meal Centres,
construction of kitchen-cum-stores,
provision of gas connection, water facility,
movement of supplies made from the
Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation,
Bills raised and settled, details of cook-
cum-helpers engaged etc.) from the block
and district level.
4.13 GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL MECHANISM

• Toll Free numbers are in operation in
29 Districts of the State for the redressal
of grievances.
• Complaint / suggestion boxes have been
kept in the schools to facilitate the better
implementation of the scheme.
• PA (NMP) of the District and Block
Development Officers at the Blocks have
been designated as Grievance Redressal
Officers to set right the grievances.
85
4.14 TRAINING PROGRAMME
Training programmes are organized at
regular intervals to orient the employees on
Nutrition, Health and Personal Hygiene like
regular cutting of nails, washing hands/ feet with
soap before commencement of cooking / serving
and preparation of food. For maintenance of
hygiene in the kitchen cum stores, cleaning of
cooking and serving utensils, storage of
commodities and disposal of wastes also adequate
training has been imparted. The employees have
also been trained by expert chefs in the
preparation of variety meals.
4.15 CONVERGENCE WITH SCHOOL HEALTH

PROGRAMME
Health Check-up Camps in all schools which
aims to address the health and nutrition needs of
the children are conducted through the Health
and Family Welfare Department. The components
of the School Health Programme are detailed as
below:-
86
i. Screening for anemia, general health and
other health problems – health care and
referral.
ii. Immunization, eye and dental check-up in
particular.
iii. Administration of micronutrients like Iron
Folic Acid (IFA) tablets, vitamin A.
iv. De-worming medicines
v. Providing and maintaining individual health
cards to all the children to monitor their
health status.
4.16 NOON MEAL EMPLOYEES

4.16.1 Sanctioned Strength
At present, there are 43,143 Noon Meal
Centres catering to 53.31 lakh children studying
from Std I to X. Each Noon Meal Centre has three
sanctioned posts of Noon Meal Organiser, Cook
and Cook Assistant. But, if the number of Noon
Meal beneficiaries in a school exceeds 500, an
additional Cook Assistant can be appointed.
As per the norms of Government of India,
only one post of Cook cum Helper is allowed for a
strength of 25 beneficiaries and an honorarium of
87
`1,000 is allowed in the sharing pattern of 60:40
between the Centre and State. However, in order
to provide quality, healthy, safe and delicious
food for children, the Government of Tamil Nadu
has appointed three staff in each centre.
The sanctioned post of Noon Meal
Employees are tabulated below:-
S. Post Sanctioned
No. post
1 Noon Meal 42,423
Organiser
2 Cook 42,852
3 Cook Assistant 42,855
Total 1,28,130
The working hours for the noon meal

employees are from 9 am to 2 pm.
4.16.2 Scale of Pay

These employees are classified as ‘Part
Time Permanent Employees’ and are being paid a
Special Time Scale of pay as tabulated below:-
88
Sl. Minimum -
Post Scale of Pay
No. Maximum
1. Noon Meal `2,500-5,000 + `7,530 –

Organiser Grade Pay `500 `10,478
2. Cook `1,300-3,000 + `4,380 –
Grade Pay `300 `5,055
3. Cook `950 – 2,000 + `3,368 –
Assistant Grade Pay `200 `4,380
4.16.3 Special Monthly Pension
Till 31.01.2016 all retired Noon Meal

Employees were provided with a special monthly
pension of `1,000 per month. The Special Pension
has been enhanced to `1,500 irrespective of all
categories with effect from 01.02.2016.
Budgetary provision for the year 2017-2018

is `8,534.95 lakh.
4.16.4 Lumpsum Payment
A sum of `50,000 to the Noon Meal

Organiser and `20,000 to the Cook and Cook
Assistant were provided as lumpsum amount at
the time of their retirement till January, 2016.
89
However, since February 2016, the amount has
been enhanced to `60,000 to Noon Meal
Organisers and `25,000 to Cook and Cook
Assistant.

towards lumpsum payment to employees is
`2,097.44 lakh.
4.16.5 Festival Advance
All Noon Meal Employees are sanctioned

with festival advance of `5,000 every year. The
advance amount will be deducted from their
salary in 10 equal installments.
is `4,774.32 lakh.
4.16.6 Pongal Bonus

`1,000 is being given to all Noon Meal
employees every year as Bonus at the time of
Pongal Festival (i.e) during January.
90
4.16.7 Hill Allowance and Winter Allowance
Hill Allowance and winter allowance are
provided to all the Noon Meal Employees working
in hill areas. 20% of Basic Pay and Grade pay
together have been sanctioned as hill allowance
throughout the year. Winter allowance is
sanctioned at the rate of 5% of basic pay for 4
months in a year.
4.16.8 Special Provident Fund cum Gratuity

Scheme
A sum of `20 is being recovered from the
Noon Meal Employees salary for 148 months
which amounts to `2,960. The same will be paid
at the time of their retirement along with interest
(as per GPF interest rate). In addition, `10,000 is
also paid as Government contribution to the Noon
Meal Employees.
4.16.9 Additional charge allowance to Noon

Meal Organisers
The Noon Meal Organisers who are provided
with additional charge of another Noon Meal
Centre are provided with an additional charge
91
allowance of `10 per day till March 2015. From
April 2015, this amount has been enhanced to
`20 per day.
4.16.10 Family Benefit Fund

Like regular Government Employees, the
monthly recovery from the salary of Noon Meal
Employees has been enhanced to `60 per month
and the payment of lumpsum amount increased
to `3.00 lakh for the family of the deceased
employees.
4.16.11 Immediate relief to the Noon Meal
Employee who die while in service
The immediate relief given to the family of
the deceased Noon Meal Employees has been
enhanced from `5,000 to `25,000 since February
2016. It will be adjusted from the Family Benefit
Fund amount of `3.00 lakh.
4.16.12 New Health Insurance Scheme
Till the year 2016, a monthly subscription of
`150 was deducted from the salary of the
Noon Meal Employees under New Health
92
Insurance Scheme, 2012 for providing health
care assistance upto the limit of `4.00 lakh in a
block year of 4 years commencing from
01.07.2012 to 30.6.2016. The Government had
exempted the employees from the monthly
subscription of `150 who draw an annual salary
less than `72,000 since May 2015. Now, the
scheme has been extended in the name of “New
Health Insurance Scheme, 2016” and
implemented with effect from 01.07.2016 for a
further period of four years.
4.16.13 General Provident Fund

General Provident Fund account has been
started for all the Noon Meal Employees with a
monthly subscription at the rate of 12% on Basic
pay and Grade pay w.e.f.1.8.2015. The Noon
Meal Employees were assigned with nine digit
G.P.F account number with suffix NMP and the
GPF schedules are sent to Government Data
Centre for accounting purposes.
93
4.16.14 Casual Leave
All Noon Meal Employees can avail 12 days
of casual leave every year.
4.16.15 Maternity Leave to Noon Meal

Employees
The paid absence on Maternity Leave of
90 days has been enhanced to 180 days to the
married women employees of Nutritious Meal
Programme since May 2015.
4.16.16 Voluntary Retirement

From April 2015 the willing Noon Meal
Employees are permitted for special voluntary
retirement on health grounds with eligible
retirement benefits.
4.16.17 Compassionate Ground Appointment

District Collectors are delegated with
powers to give appointment on compassionate
grounds to the female or male legal heir
(if female legal heir is not available) of the
deceased noon meal employee. In cases, where
relaxation of rules is needed for appointment on
94
compassionate grounds, necessary proposals are
sent to Government for rule relaxation and
necessary appointment orders are issued. The
implementation of the programme has brought a
positive change on enrolment, retention and
attendance of students and all the three
parameters have shown marked improvement in
their nutritional status which helps them to
concentrate and perform better in the class room.
In addition, the Mid Day Meal Programme has
reduced the gender equality by providing equal
opportunities in education, nutrition and
upbringing of the girl child.
allocated a sum of `1,687.37 crore (inclusive
of Central and State share) in the Budgetary
Estimate for the year 2017-2018 for this
scheme.
*********
95
CHAPTER- 5
WELFARE OF THE AGED AND SENIOR
CITIZENS
5.1 The increase in human life expectancy

over the years has resulted in a very substantial
increase in the number of older persons. India’s
older population will increase dramatically over
the next four decades. The share of India’s
population ages 60 and older is projected to climb
8% in 2050 according to the United Nations
Population Division (UN 2011). By mid-Century,
India’s 60 and above older population is expected
to surpass 323 million people. To fulfill the needs
of the Senior Citizens for leading a safe and
dignified life, the State Government of Tamil Nadu
is implementing various schemes for their
welfare.
5.2 INTEGRATED COMPLEX OF SPECIAL
HOMES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND
DESTITUTE CHILDREN
In the Budget Speech for the year
2011-2012, it was announced that an Integrated
96
Complex of Special Homes would be set up in
each block of the State for the Senior Citizens and
Destitute Children where they can share love and
affection with each other, involving reputed Non-
Governmental Organizations and Corporate
Houses as part of their Corporate Social
Responsibilities.
As a first step, 64 Integrated Complexes of
Special Homes in all 32 Districts (2 homes per
district) in the State was inaugurated during
2012.
In each Integrated Complex, 25 children
and 25 senior citizens are accommodated. As of
now in 50 Integrated Complexes, 1,189 children
and 1,144 elders are benefitting under this
scheme. A sum of `628.70 lakh was sanctioned
towards the recurring expenditure for the period
of 2016-2017 to the 50 voluntary Institutions in
29 districts for running the Integrated Complex of
Special Homes.
97
sanctioned in the Budget Estimate for the
year 2017-2018 for this scheme.
5.3 OLD AGE HOMES RUN BY NON-

GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS
WITH STATE GRANT
The State Government is providing
maintenance grant for the Old Age Homes run by
the Voluntary Organisations to safeguard the life
of destitute elders in the age group of 60 years
and above and who are homeless and abandoned
by their families. Food, shelter, clothing, health
care and recreational facilities etc. are provided in
these homes to these beneficiaries.
21 Non-Governmental Organisations are
provided with grants by the State Government to
run the Old Age Homes in 19 Districts. A sum of
`5.60 lakh per year is given as grant to maintain
40 inmates in each home. 709 elders are
benefitted in these homes. A sum of
`75.13 lakh has been incurred as expenditure
during the year 2016-2017. As per the
98
announcement of the then Hon’ble Chief Minster
in the Assembly, the feeding charges payable
to each inmate in the Old Age Home run with
State Government Grant was enhanced from
`300 to `1,200 .
5.4 THE MAINTENANCE AND WELFARE OF

PARENTS AND SENIOR CITIZENS ACT,
2007
The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents
and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, which provides a
statutory protection for the Maintenance and
Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens as
guaranteed and recognized under the Constitution
is being implemented in this State with effect
from 29.09.2008. The Tamil Nadu Maintenance
and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Rules
have also been framed and notified on
31.12.2009.
99
For speedy disposal of petitions received
under this Act, a Tribunal presided over by the
Revenue Divisional Officer has been constituted in
each sub-division, to obtain maintenance amount
from children/legal heirs by the senior citizens
and parents. There are 81 Tribunals functioning
in the State. The District Social Welfare Officers
are acting as the Maintenance Officers as well as
Conciliation Officers. An Appellate Tribunal
chaired by the District Collector has been
constituted in each District to hear appeals
against the orders of the Tribunal. Till 2016-2017,
2,030 petitions have been received and as on
date 1,547 cases have been settled under this
Act.
SALIENT FEATURES OF THE ACT
A senior citizen or a parent who is unable to

maintain himself from his own earnings or out of
the property owned by him is entitled to make an
application under Section 5 of the Act to obtain
100
maintenance amount from his children / legal
heirs as follows:-
¾ An application filed under this Act for
monthly allowance/maintenance shall be
disposed off within 90 days.
¾ If the children or relatives fail to obey the
orders of the Tribunal, the Tribunal may
levy fines and may sentence such persons
for the whole or any part of each month’s
allowance for the maintenance and
expenses of the Senior Citizens or order
imprisonment for a term which may extend
to one month or until payment is made.
¾ The maximum maintenance allowance shall
not exceed 10,000 per month.
¾ The Tribunal may give an interim order
during the pendency of the proceeding for
such children or relatives to provide
monthly allowance for the maintenance of
the senior citizen.
101
¾ If the persons responsible for the care and
protection of senior citizens abandon the
senior citizens, such persons shall be
punished with imprisonment for three
months or fined up to `5,000 or with both.
5.5 FIXING OF MINIMUM STANDARDS /

ESSENTIAL STANDARDS TO BE
MAINTAINED IN OLD AGE HOMES
The Government have issued detailed

guidelines fixing minimum standards / essential
standards to be maintained in old age homes run
by Non Governmental Organizations.
5.6 CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL DAY

OF SENIOR CITIZENS
The International Day of Senior Citizens is
celebrated on 1st October of every year at State
level and also at District level in Tamil Nadu to
implement the resolution passed by the United
Nations Assembly for the Welfare of Senior
Citizens to recognize their services and to make
optimum use of their resourcefulness.
102
Hon’ble Ministers, MPs, MLAs, District
Collectors, Members of Local Bodies, Senior
Citizens, Voluntary Organizations, District Level
Officials etc. participate in the celebration.
Exhibition on the diet suitable for elders is also
conducted. Pamphlets on the welfare of Senior
Citizens are distributed to create awareness
among the participants.
During the celebration, seminars and
competitions in colleges and schools are
organized in order to create awareness about the
needs of the Senior Citizens and about the
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior
Citizens Act, 2007 among youth and the general
public. Free health check-ups for senior citizens
are also conducted during the celebration.
The best Non Governmental Organization
and Social Workers who have worked for the
cause of the senior citizens are honoured during
the celebration. Various aids and appliances are
103
also distributed to needy senior citizens during
the celebration.
sanctioned in the Budget Estimate for the
year 2017-2018 for this celebration.
5.7 STATE COUNCIL AND DISTRICT

COMMITTEES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
A High Level Advisory Committee with the
Chief Secretary as Chairperson, 15 official
members and 7 Non-official members has been
constituted in the State to advise and supervise
on the effective implementation of the
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior
Citizens Act, 2007. Similarly, District Level
Committee with the District Collector as the
Chairperson, 3 Official members and
4 Non-official members including 2 Senior Citizens
have been constituted in all the Districts.
*********
104
CHAPTER - 6
INTEGRATED CHILD DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES SCHEME
Tamil Nadu has a long history of providing

organised child care services with emphasis on
nutrition to children under institutionalized care.
In 1956, midday meal scheme was in operation in
schools in the then Madras State. In 1961, CARE
offered food commodity assistance (Bulgar
Wheat) under which children in 30,000 schools
were covered. In 1967, the system was radically
modified to operate through Central Kitchens. In
1970, Special Nutrition Programme was
introduced to cover children below the school age
group.
Realizing the fact that “Investment in
children is investment in the welfare of the
Nation in future”, Integrated Child Development
Service Scheme was introduced with the support
of Government of India with the main focus on
Health, Nutrition, Pre-school education and Health
education for women and children. The
105
Integrated Child Development Services
Scheme was launched in India in the year 1975
on the 106th birth anniversary of Mahatma
Gandhi with 33 Projects which was designed as a
befitting tribute to him and for development
needs of young children, Adolescent girls,
Pregnant & Nursing mothers across the life cycle.
It is the most effective programme for breaking
an inter generational cycle of gender disparity by
intervening as early as possible to promote
survival, growth and development, protection and
participation of the yet to be born girl child, the
young child and Adolescent girls. Three Projects
namely Chennai, Nilakottai and Thali being urban,
rural and tribal respectively were started in
Tamilnadu. Now the scheme is being implemented
in all the Districts.
6.1 UNIVERSALISATION OF ICDS – OPENING
OF NEW CENTRES
In order to fulfill its commitment towards
universalisation of ICDS and operationalising
14 lakh Anganwadi Centres throughout the
106
Country, the Government of India have revised
the population, nutrition and financial guidelines
for setting up of the Anganwadi Centres based on
the recommendations of the Inter-Ministerial Task
Force.
As per the revised guidelines, the
population norms for setting up of a Anganwadi
Centre is :-
Main AWC Mini AWC
Project
Location Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum
Population Population Population Population
Rural 400 800 150 400
Urban 400 800 150 400
Tribal 300 800 150 300
In Tamil Nadu, the Integrated Child

Development Services Scheme (ICDS) is now
implemented through 49,499 Main Anganwadi
Centres and 4,940 Mini Anganwadi Centres,
totalling to 54,439 centres functioning under
434 ICDS Projects. Of which, 385 are rural
projects, 47 are urban projects and 2 are tribal
projects.
107
6.2 Vision of ICDS
Restructured ICDS visualises
1. A holistic physical, psychosocial, cognitive
and emotional development of children
under 6 years of age.
2. To nurture protective, child friendly,
development, learning and promotion of
optimal early childhood care with greater
emphasis on children under three years.
3. A gender sensitive family, community
programme and policy environment
including adolescent and maternal care.
6.3 Organizational Set up of ICDS in

Tamil Nadu
Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal Programme
Department
ICDS (Mission Director)/State Child Development

Society
District Programme Office/ District Child

Development Society – 32 Districts
Child Development project Office – 434 Projects

(385-Rural, 47-Urban, 2 Tribal)
Anganwadi Centres 54,439

(Main 49,499 and Mini 4,940)
108
6.4 Objectives and Strategies
• To institutionalize essential services and
strengthen infrastructures at all levels
⎯ Implementing ICDS in Mission Mode
to prevent under nourishment and
assure children of the best possible
start to life, focussing on children
under-3 years; focussing on early
child care and learning environment.
• To enhance capacities at all levels
⎯ Training of all functionaries / staff to
strengthen field based joint action and
teamwork to achieve desired results
and laid down objectives.
• To ensure appropriate inter-sectoral
responses at all levels
⎯ Ensure convergence at the grass root
level by strengthening partnership
with the Health, Rural Development
and Panchayat Raj, Municipal
Administration and Water Supply
Departments and Communities to
improve outreach and quality of child
development services.
• To raise public awareness at all levels and
participation
⎯ Inform the beneficiary group and
public on the availability of the four
core child development services under
ICDS and promote social mobilization
and voluntary action.
109
• To create database and knowledge base for
child development services
⎯ Strengthen ICDS Management
Information System (MIS); Use
Information Communication
Technology (ICT) to strengthen the
information base and facilitate sharing
and dissemination of information;
Undertake research and
documentation.
6.5 Services provided under ICDS Mission

i. Early Childhood Care Education and
Development (ECCED)
• Supplementary Nutrition
• Preschool Education
ii. Care and Nutrition Counseling
• Infant young child feeding
practices (IYCF)
• Community based management of
severely and moderately
undernourished
iii. Health Services
• Health Check up, Ensuring
Immunization services
• Referrals
iv. Community Mobilization, Awareness,
Advocacy and IEC
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6.6 BENEFICIARIES OF THE SCHEME
i. Children in the age group of 0-72 months
ii. Adolescent girls
iii. Pregnant women and Lactating mothers
iv. Old Age Pensioners
6.6.1 Budget Estimate for 2017-2018 is

detailed below:-
(` in crore)
Gross Total GoI Total State

Project Cost share share
1917.55 681.88 1235.67
The overall percentage of State share for

the year 2017-2018 is 64% and the Government
of India share is 36%.
6.7 SUPPLEMENTARY NUTRITION
Tamil Nadu is a pioneer State in
implementing various nutritional schemes, with
an aim to march towards “Malnutrition Free
State”. In order to bridge the protein and energy
gap between the Recommended Dietary
Allowance (RDA) and average dietary intake of
ICDS beneficiaries, the following efforts are being
put into operation.
111
6.7.1 Weaning Food
To increase the nutritional level of the
children, supplementary nutrition is provided to
children in the age group of 6 months to 36
months, Pregnant and Lactating mothers,
Adolescent girls in 9 districts, 3-5 years children
who are moderately and severely under nourished
additional quantity of supplementary nutrition to
children in 5 districts which are prone to Japanese
Encephalitis.
COMPOSITION OF WEANING FOOD
Sl.No Raw Materials Grams

1 Wheat/Maize/ Bajra 52
2 Powdered Jaggery 30
3 Bengal Gram 12
4 Malted Ragi 5
5 Minerals and Vitamin 1
Premix
Total 100
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6.7.2 Weekly Food Schedule:-
Quantum of
Supplementar
y food / Number of
Food
Age Nutritious Bene-
provided
Meal ficiaries
provided and
cost
130 gm /day @
6 `8.30 for
Supple-
months Normal, MUW
mentary
- Children and 3,65,464
Nutrition
1 year 190 gm/day @
children `12.14 to SUW
children.
Supplementary 130 gm /day @
Nutrition plus `8.30 for
1-2 One boiled egg Normal, MUW
years per week Children and 6,77,959
children (Wednesday) 190 gm/day @
`12.14 to SUW
children.
Supplementary 130 gm /day @
Nutrition plus `8.30 for
Nutritious Meal Normal, MUW
plus Black Children and
Bengal 190 gm/day @
2- 3 gram/Green `12.14 to SUW
years gram 20 gm children + Hot 7,06,121
children (Tuesday) plus Nutritious
Boiled Potato Variety meal
(Friday)plus @ `4.79 /
Three boiled child / day
eggs per week
(Mon, Wed,
113
Thurs) /
banana for
children who
do not
consume eggs
Nutritious Hot Nutritious
Variety Meal Variety meal
plus Black @ `4.79 /
Bengal child / day
gram/Green
gram 20 gm
(Tuesday) plus
3-5 Boiled Potato
years (Friday) plus 6,52,558
children Three boiled
eggs per week
(Mon, Wed,
Thurs) /
banana for
children who
do not
consume eggs
Ante &
Supplementary
Post 160 gm/day @
food 6,59,000
natal `10.22 per day
mothers
Adolesc Supplementary
130 gm/day @
ent Girls food 4,12,119
`8.30 per day
Old Age Hot cooked

Pension Nutritious 200 gm/day 71
ers meal
Total 34,73,292
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6.7.3 Cost of Supplementary (Weaning) Food
and the Quantity/day
Weaning
Food Cost
Beneficiaries
Norms (in (in `)
gm)
6-36 months 130 8.30
(Normal and MUW)
6-36 months (SUW) 190 12.14
Adolescent Girls 130 8.30
Pregnant & Lactating 160 10.22
Mothers
Though the fund sharing pattern for the

cost of Supplementary nutrition is 50:50 between
centre and State, the State Government incurs
more than the mandatory norms fixed by
Government of India. Every month the quality of
Supplementary Weaning Food is being tested by
Food and Nutrition Board and in Government
Accredited Labs at random basis.
6.7.4 Nutritional intervention in Japanese

Encephalitis prone areas
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a vector-borne
disease. Under nutrition is an important risk
factor for Japanese Encephalitis / Acute
115
Encephalitis Syndrome. Special efforts are made
to improve the nutritional status of the children in
high risk areas.
Five districts namely Karur, Madurai,
Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, and Villupuram have been
identified as high risk prone areas to be affected
with Japenese Encephalitis. Under nutrition is an
important factor for this syndrome and hence
special efforts are being taken to improve the
nutritional status of the moderately/ severely
under nourished children in the age group of 37
months to 60 months in those districts. These
children are provided with 80 gms of
Supplementary Nutrition for 300 days in a year
through anganwadi centres.
6.7.5 Variety Meal to Anganwadi Children

Considering the special nature and digestive
capacity of children attending Anganwadi Centres,
Government of Tamil Nadu have designed the
following variety Meal in consultation with
nutritional experts. The scheme was first
116
introduced on 20.03.2013 on a pilot basis in one
block of each district. After the successful
implementation of the programme, from
15.08.2014, the scheme was extended to all the
Anganwadi Centres across the State of Tamil
Nadu.
Details of Variety Meal menu provided in

Anganwadi Centres to 2-5+ years children:-
DAYS MENU
Monday Tomato Rice + Boiled Egg
Tuesday Mixed Rice + Black Bengal Gram/
Green Gram
Wednesday Vegetable Pulav + Boiled Egg
Thursday Lemon Rice + Boiled Egg
Friday Dhal Rice + Boiled Potato
Saturday Mixed Rice
Sunday Dry Ration as Take Home Ration
6.7.6 Fortification of Food Commoditites

• Salt fortified with iron and Iodine (Double
Fortified) is supplied to all Anganwadi Centres
by Tamil Nadu Salt Corporation Ltd.
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• Palmolein supplied to Anganwadi Centres by
Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation is
fortified with Vitamin A & Vitamin D.
• To enhance the nutritive value of
Supplementary Weaning Food, Micro Nutrients
and soluble Vitamins are being added.
6.7.7 Early Childhood Care and Education

(ECCE)
ECCE refers to programmes and provisions
for children from prenatal to six years of age,
which cater to the needs of a child in all domains
of development i.e. physical, language, cognitive,
socio-emotional and creative and aesthetic
appreciation; and ensure synergy with health and
nutrition aspects. This could cover developmental
priorities for each sub stage within the continum,
i.e. care, early stimulation/interaction needs for
children below 3 years and developmentally
appropriate preschool education for 3 to 6 year
children, with a more structured and planned
school readiness component for 5 to 6 year
children.
118
Thus, ECCE in ICDS encompasses the
inseparable elements of care, health, nutrition,
play and early learning within a protective and
enabling environment. It is an indispensible
foundation for lifelong development and learning
and has lasting impact on human development.
This programme with emphasis on
repositioning the AWCs as a ‘Vibrant ECD
Centre’ providing joyful learning environment
with emphasis on dedicated 4 hours of ECCE
sessions covers developmental priorities for each
sub stage within the continum, i.e. care, early
stimulation/interaction needs for children below
3 years, and developmentally appropriate
preschool education for 3 to 6 years children and
with a more structured and planned school
readiness component for 5 to 6 years children.
In line with the National ECCE Policy 2013,
State specific, developmentally and age
appropriate Annual Contextualized Curriculum
termed as “AADI PAADI VILAIYADU PAPPA” has
119
been developed by ICDS and the same has been
validated by Government of India and introduced
in Anganwadi Centres. This curriculum consists of
11 month, theme based activities to be conducted
for children at AWCs, 12th month being the
revision of the same. Necessary Teaching
Learning Materials (TLMs) viz. ECCE Curriculum
Books for AWWs, Activity Book and Assessment
Cards for children has been provided to all
Anganwadi Centres. In addition to the above,
from 2016-2017 onwards, Pre school Completion
Certificate is being issued to the children for the
enrollment in Primary Schools.
6.7.8 ECCE TRAINING

The Non-Formal Preschool Education (PSE)
under the strengthened package of services is a
crucial component under ICDS scheme. It aims
at holistic development of young children. This
ECCE training aims to train and enable AWWs to
understand the concept and policy of ECCE and
enable them to provide comprehensive care and
120
early learning opportunities to the children. This
training is conducted in a cascade model at three
levels, viz. State, District and Sector level. The
vital components covered under this training are
effective transaction of “Aadi Paadi Vilaiyadu
Pappa” curriculum, use of Assessment Cards and
Activity Books.
During the year 2015-2016, First phase of
ECCE Training was imparted to the field
functionaries as per the guidelines of Government
of India. The fund utilized for this Training is
`387.20 lakh.
6.8 HEALTH
6.8.1 Weight Monitoring
Under ICDS, weighing of children in the age
group from birth to 60 months is being done
every month and the same is plotted in the WHO
growth register and nutritional status from the
growth curve is assessed and measures are taken
to reduce malnutrition.
121
6.8.2 Supply of Weighing Machines to
Anganwadi Centres
Age appropriate Weighing machines (Baby
Weighing Scale, Bar Scale and Adult Weighing
scale) are provided to the Anganwadi Centres for
monitoring the weight of Anganwadi Children and
Pregnant and Lactating mothers. Every year,
replacement of 15% of weighing scales is ensured
to substitute for the weighing machines under
repair.
6.8.3 Anaemia
Anaemia is one of the most important public
health problem among children and Women. The
infants, preschool children, adolescent girls and
pregnant women who are at highest risk of
nutritional anaemia are provided with Iron
Tablets/Iron syrup to mitigate the problem of
Anaemia. Further, in order to tackle the problem
of anaemia, awareness programmes are
conducted to educate the mothers on the
importance and advantages of consumption of
iron rich / iron fortified foods.
122
6.8.4 PROVISION OF MEDICINE KIT TO ALL
ANGANWADI CENTRES
Each Anganwadi Centre is being provided
with Medicine Kit which contains paracetemol
tablets/ syrup, ORS packets, povidone iodine
ointment, bandage cloth, cotton, Iron Syrup,
Deworming syrup, Multivitamin drops, Zinc
tablets, and Povidone Iodine solution for the
management of common ailments like fever,
diarrhea, dressing of wound, skin infections etc.
These medicines are provided to Anganwadi
Centres in consultation with State Public Health
Department.
Proper guidelines on skill, knowledge,
expiry date, drug management viz wasting
/misuse of drugs, dosage, adverse effects, on
drug storage to keep out of reach of children have
been imparted to the Anganwadi Worker. The
procurement and supply of the above medicine to
all Anganwadi Centres is done through Tamil
Nadu Medical Services Corporation. Children who
123
need further treatment are referred to the nearest
PHCs/ Government Hospitals.
A sum of `5.19 crore has been provided
for the procurement and supply of Medicine
kits for the year 2017-2018.
6.8.5 IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME

Immunisation is a process whereby a
person is made immune or resistant to an
infectious disease, typically by the administration
of vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the bodys’ own
immune system to protect the person against
subsequent infection or disease. The Anganwadi
Worker and the Village Health Nurse of the sub
centre work together for providing motivation and
mobilisation of beneficiaries in Antenatal Care
including immunisation services and also assist
the Village Health Nurse in identifying dropout
children. ICDS has been providing good support
to the Health service in rendering basic health
care services to the rural community.
124
BCG is administered at birth or as early as
possible till one year of age. Anganwadi Children
are administered with Pentavalent vaccination
which protects the children against 5 life
threatening diseases namely Diphtheria,
whooping cough, Tetanus, Hepatitis-B,
Haemophilus Influenzae Type-B, since
21.12.2011.
In order to reduce the incidence of Measles
and Rubella, MR vaccination (Measles - Rubella)
campaign is done in convergence with Health
Department. The Anganwadi employees and
supervisors have been advised to motivate the
parents so as to achieve 100% coverage of
Anganwadi beneficiaries.
6.9 Provision of Preschool Education Kit
Children between the age of 2 to 5 years
are imparted non-formal pre-school education in
each Anganwadi centre. Emphasis is laid on
pre-school activities for the physical, language,
cognitive, socio-emotional aesthetic appreciation
125
of the children and for developing desirable
attitudes, values and behavior patterns.
Pre-school Education Kits are supplied to each
Anganwadi centre and Anganwadi workers are
provided with skill training to develop play and
educational aids.
Further, in line with the National Early
Childhood Care and Education Policy, 2013 to
reposition the Anganwadi Centres as a vibrant
Early Childhood Development Centre, Early
Childhood Care and Education activities are also
carried out in addition to supply of Pre-school
Education kits.
In the year 2017-2018 `15.59 Crore is
provided for procurement of Pre-School
Education Kits and to carry out ECCE
activities.
6.10 Provision of Colour Uniform to

Anganwadi Children
As a special initiative, in order to attract
children in the age group of 2 to 5 years to attend
126
anganwadi centres, in order to take nutritious
food and also to get pre-primary, non-formal
education and to motivate the parents to send
their children to Anganwadi Centres, during the
year 2012-2013, free colour uniform scheme was
introduced in 5 districts on pilot basis in Chennai,
Vellore, Theni, Tiruchirappalli and Dindigul. Each
child was provided with two sets of uniform free
of cost @ `125 per set. After the successful
implementation of the programme, the scheme
extended to 5 more districts viz., Villupuram,
Perambalur, Ariyalur, Nagapattinam and
Tirunelveli. Under the scheme, an amount of
`9.36 crore was sanctioned, exclusively out of
State funds to benefit 3,74,243 children.
6.11 Infrastructure development of
Anganwadi Centres
6.11.1 Construction of Anganwadi centres
To enhance the infrastructure facilities of
Anganwadi Centres, an announcement was made
in the Budget Speech 2011-2012 for construction
of new buildings to 15,313 Anganwadi centres in
127
a phased manner by dovetailing the funds of
various programmes of line departments, namely
Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Municipal
Administration and Town Panchayat Department.
So far, new buildings to 8,092 anganwadi centres
have been constructed.
During 2016-2017, construction of 1000
new Anganwadi Centres at the rate of `7.00 lakh
per centre has been taken up in convergence
with MGNREGS of Rural Development and
Panchayat Raj Department and ICDS. Further for
the year 2017-2018, construction of 1000 new
Anganwadi Centres at the rate of `7.00 lakh per
centre will be taken up in convergence with
MGNREGS of Rural Development and Panchayat
Raj Department and ICDS.
6.11.2 Establishment of Anganwadi cum
Creches
To take care of children (below 5 years) of
working mothers in the Anganwadi centres,
211 Anganwadi cum creches were started in
13 districts viz., Chennai, Tiruvallur,
128
Kancheepuram, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai,
Villupuram, Perambalur, Salem, Dindigul,
Coimbatore, Pudukottai, Tirunelveli and
Kanyakumari Districts from the year 2014-2015
at a total cost of `2.31 crore. So far, 3,125
children have benefitted.
6.11.3 Modernization of Anganwadi Centres
The scheme of modernisation of Anganwadi
Centres was introduced with a view to maintain
‘smoke free kitchen’, to save cooking time and to
provide healthy food in a smokeless atmosphere
to the children. Under this scheme, to provide
gas connection, gas stove, pressure cooker, and
construction of cooking platform to the Anganwadi
Centre, necessary funds are allocated under
MLACDS Fund. So far 50,201 Anganwadi Centres
have been modernized out of 54,439 Centres.
Action is being taken to modernize the remaining
4,238 Anganwadi Centres in a phased manner.
129
6.12 Schemes for Adolescent Girls
6.12.1 Kishori Shakti Yojana (KSY)
This programme is implemented in
23 districts covering 295 Projects in the State and
aims to equip the out of school going adolescent
girls in the age group of 11-18 years to improve
and upgrade their life and vocational / domestic
skills, to promote their overall personality
development, including dissemination of
information about their health, personal hygiene,
nutrition, legal rights, family and stress
management, etc. Vocational Training is being
provided to 16-18 years of Adolescent Girls
through Tamil Nadu Skill Development
Corporation (TNSDC) in various employable Skill
Training Programmes such as Apparel design,
Zardousi work, Artificial Jewellery making, Poultry
farming, Cell Phone servicing, Ornamental Fish
culture, Repair of Home Appliances and Basic
Electrical Works etc. The funding for base
training cost, transportation charges, boarding
130
and lodging cost and assessment charges are met
by Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation in
addition to the fund provided under Vocational
Training Component of this scheme. An amount
of `1.60 crore was sanctioned towards the
implementation of the scheme.
`3.24 Crore expenditure is provided for
implementing Kishori Shakti Yojana Scheme
for the year 2017-2018.
6.12.2 Scheme for Adolescent Girls

(Formerly SABLA)
The Scheme for Adolescent Girls to address
the multidimensional issues of Adolescent Girls,
has been introduced during 2011-2012 in
139 projects on pilot basis in 9 districts viz.
Chennai, Coimbatore, Cuddalore,
Ramanathapuram, Tiruvannamalai, Madurai,
Salem, Kanyakumari and Tiruchirapalli. This
scheme has two components viz. Supplementary
Nutrition Component and Non-Supplementary
Nutrition Component. The State Government
131
provides 50% financial assistance towards
Supplementary Nutrition Component in which the
out of school going adolescent girls of 11-18
years and school going adolescent girls of age
15-18 years who are registered in Anganwadi
Centres are provided with supplementary food in
the form of Take Home Ration (THR) at the cost
of `8.30 per individual per day for 300 days in a
year. A sum of `95.44 crore has been spent
during 2016-2017 benefitting 4.12 lakh
adolescent girls. Under Non Supplementary
Nutrition Component, the adolescent girls are
provided with IFA tablets, life skill education,
nutrition and health education, mainstreaming the
Adolescent Girls into formal Educational Stream,
counselling, health check-up and vocational
training.
Vocational training to 16-18 years
adolescent girls under this scheme is given
through Government ITI, Registered Vocational
Training Providers (VTPs) etc. Vocational Training
132
in the trades like Beautician, Repairing of Home
appliances, Basic Computer, Tailoring, Basic
Electrical works and Handicrafts are being given,
which enable adolescent girls to attain socio-
economic empowerment.
`102.58 crore expenditure is provided
towards Supplementary Nutrition to
Adolescent girls and `5.28 crore for the
Non-Nutrition Component for the year
2017-2018.
6.13 Matritva Sahyog Yojana (MSY)/

Maternity Benefit Scheme (MBP)
Government of India introduced the
Matritva Sahyog Yojana for pregnant women and
lactating mothers on pilot basis in the districts of
Erode and Cuddalore of Tamil Nadu by providing
cash incentive of `4,000 per beneficiary through
ICDS platform during the year 2011-2012 in
convergence with Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddy
Maternity Benefit Scheme implemented by Healh
133
and Family Welfare Department of Tamil Nadu
State.
Subsequently, in accordance with National
Food Security Act, 2013, the cash incentive
provided to pregnant and lactating mothers was
revised and enhanced to `6,000 per beneficiary
and the same was released on conditional basis
from July 2013 onwards in the sharing pattern of
60:40 between GoI and State. The Maternity
Benefit Scheme (MSY) has now been extended to
the entire State from 01.01.2017. This extended
Maternity Benefit Scheme is being implemented in
convergence with the cash benefit of `18,000
provided under Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity
Benefit Scheme of Health and Family Welfare
Department.
A sum of ` 20.86 crore has been incurred
during the financial year 2016-2017.
6.14 TRAINING
Training is the most crucial element in ICDS
scheme. The achievement of programme goals
134
depends upon the effectiveness of frontline
workers in improved and effective, qualitative
delivery of package of services under ICDS.
Capacity building initiatives is the vital
element for improving and maintaining the quality
of performance of the Project personnel as well as
delivery of the Project services to all the eligible
beneficiaries and community. Well trained cadre
of field functionaries will always be more efficient
in various community based strategies with
prime focus on the holistic development and
empowerment of the community. Thus
correspondingly, training has been geared up
towards improving and fine tuning the knowledge,
skill and capabilities of all front line project
functionaries so that they are not only better
service providers but also act as “Change Agents”
and “Social Agents” in order to bring about
desirable behavioural and attitudinal change
among the various sections of the stakeholders.
135
Tamil Nadu has a unique and effective
decentralized pattern of three tier training
methodology for the Project personnel at various
levels, which has been widely appreciated due to
its efficacy, economical and cost effectiveness.
The evaluation of the training is done then and
there and is facilitated on the spot by the
Supervisors in the field appropriately. Every
Project has a Trainer who conducts the Job and
Refresher Trainings to all frontline field
functionaries. The various types of training
imparted at the State level, Middle level and
Project level covering the Project functionaries is
as given below:-
S. Training Nature of
Functionaries
No. venue training
1. Job and Child
Refresher Development
State
Training Course Project Officer
Training
(CDPO)
Institute,
2. Job/Orientation Instructress of
Taramani,
and Refresher Anganwadi
Chennai-
Training Course Training
113.
Centres (Grade-
I Supervisors)
136
3. Middle Job and Grade-II
Level Refresher Supervisors
Training at Training Course
ICCW,
Chennai.
4. Job and Anganwadi
Project
Refresher Workers
Level
Training Course
Training at
5. Job/Orientation Anganwadi
Blocks in
and Refresher Helpers
the Districts
Training Course
In addition to the above mentioned regular

training, need based, content specific training
programmes are organized by the State under
“Other Training” component. Personality
Development Training, Stress Management
Training, Yoga Training for field functionaries is
provided to enable them to take up more
proactive initiative in the field and ensure a
proper work-life balance. Further the State has
been given flexibility to the extent of 25% in the
training syllabus to identify State specific issues
that may need more focus, importance or
innovation.
137
Thus, training is an important component in
ICDS, as the achievement of the programme
objectives and various indicators depends on
effectiveness of all frontline workers in
empowering communities and ensuring their
participation for improved child care practices as
well as effective inter-sectoral co-ordination and
service delivery.
A sum of `3.64 crore is provided for
the year 2017-2018.
6.15 Information Education Communication
(IEC) Awareness Activities
In ICDS, the IEC activities were planned
and conducted to create awareness by
disseminating various Nutrition, Health and Child
development messages to the mothers, care
givers, adolescent girls and the community, to
bring attitudinal and positive behavioral changes
in nutrition and health practices.
A variety of IEC programmes like
“Samuthaya Valaikappu”, “Breast feeding Week
Celebration”, Infant Young Child Practices,
138
Nutrition Week Celebration, Advertisement in T.V
Channels and FM Radio are planned regularly to
create awareness on ante natal and post natal
care, child rearing, nutrition and health
practices and to elicit and sustain community
participation.
A number of IEC materials like Posters,
Folders, Dangler kit etc., on Health, Nutrition and
Child Development were also printed and supplied
to the Anganwadi centres, Health centres, CDPO
and P.O offices.
“Chittu Kuruvi Sedhi Theriyuma” a Bi
monthly news letter is being published and
supplied to all the Anganwadi centres to spread
latest information about the scheme.
Various IEC programmes, campaigns and
drives for the promotion of Infant and Young Child
Feeding Practices will be conducted at District
and Project level.
IEC activities for the year 2017-2018.
139
6.16 MONITORING AND EVALUATION
The monitoring and supervision of the
scheme is recognized as one of the essential
requirements for effective working of the scheme.
As per GoI norms, monitoring committees have
been constituted at State, District, Block and
Anganwadi Centre level to review the progress of
the measured inputs, processes, outputs and
outcomes.

monitoring and evaluation component
during the year 2017-2018.
6.17 Welfare of Anganwadi Employees

The Anganwadi employees working in
54,439 Anganwadi Centres are provided with
special time scale of pay. The allowances like
Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, City
Compensatory Allowance, Medical Allowance, Hill
Allowance and Winter Allowance are provided to
them along with 3% annual increment. The
Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers are
140
eligible for lumpsum grant at the time of
retirement and `60,000 is being paid to Main and
Mini Anganwadi Workers and `25,000 to
Anganwadi Helpers with effect from 01.02.2016.
The Anganwadi Employees are paid special
pension of `1,500 on their retirement from
01.02.2016. Every year, all Anganwadi employees
are being provided with two sarees as uniform.
Every year 98 Anganwadi Workers in the
State who have rendered their best services are
felicitated with State cash award for `5,000 and
appreciation certificate per worker.
ICDS Mission is to set a positive impact on
the health and nutrition of the vulnerable
Children, Adolescent girls and Women and there
by developing the Health and Education of the
society. This mission, when achieved will render
a progressive society which will have strong
improvement in the Socio Economic Index of the
State.
*********
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CHAPTER – 7
SOCIAL DEFENCE
7.1 The Juvenile Justice (Care and

Protection of Children) Act, 2015 postulates care
and protection of children by catering to their
basic needs, development, treatment and social
re-integration by adopting a child friendly
approach in consonance with the United Nations
Conventions on the Rights of Children. The
Government of Tamil Nadu is committed to
provide the best possible opportunities for the
overall growth and development of every child so
that children are safe in the society.
The State of Tamil Nadu is known for its
innovative programmes for children and women
in difficult circumstances and protection of their
rights. In 1887, an approved school was
established at Chengalpattu for addressing the
needs of children left without shelter, destitute,
abandoned and missing children. Subsequently,
the Madras Children Act, 1920 was enacted for
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the care and protection of children and the
management of residential care institutions. The
State of Tamil Nadu is first in India for enacting a
separate and exclusive legislation for children.
The child protection and welfare of women

in difficult circumstances are the main concern of
the Department of Social Defence for which the
department is implementing two important
legislations in the State, namely the Juvenile
Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act,
2015 and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act,
1956.
Child Care Institutions such as Reception

Units and Children Homes are managed by the
Government as well as by the Non-Governmental
organizations. The Observation Homes, Special
Homes and After Care Organizations are
exclusively run by the Government under the
Act,2015. The Department is also successfully
implementing the Integrated Child Protection
Scheme by having adequate structures at the
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District and State level for ensuring effective child
protection. The Department is maintaining
Vigilance/Protective Homes under the Immoral
Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.
7.2 THE JUVENILE JUSTICE (CARE AND

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN) ACT, 2015
The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection
of Children) Act,2015 envisages an effective
provision in law for children in need of care and
protection and children in conflict with law. The
Act governs separate set of procedures for the
following two categories of children:-
I. The children in need of care and
protection
II. The children in conflict with law
7.3 CHILDREN IN NEED OF CARE AND
PROTECTION
A child who does not have a parent or
guardian or any other relatives to take care of
him/her and is without any home or settled place
or abode and is without any ostensible means of
subsistence and street children, working children,
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abused, tortured, exploited and any one found
vulnerable and victim of natural calamities
come under the category of a child in need of
care and protection.
7.3.1 Child Welfare Committees
constituted 32 Child Welfare Committees for
excersing the powers and to discharge their
duties conferred on them in relation to children in
need of care and protection under the provisions
of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of
Children) Act, 2015 in 32 Districts of the State.
The Committees are functioning as a Bench with
the powers of Metropolitan Magistrate or Judicial
Magistrate of First Class as per the Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1973. They conduct the
proceedings in a child-friendly manner in the best
interest of children.
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for the effective functioning of the Child
Welfare Committees.
7.3.2 Children Homes for Boys and Girls
The Children homes administered by the

Directorate of Social Welfare and the Directorate
of Social Defence are brought together for an
effective management of Child Care Institutions
and for better service delivery. Now all the Child
Care Institutions are functioning under one
umbrella viz. the Department of Social Defence.
At present, 36 Children Homes are directly run by
the Government and 142 Homes are functioning
under the Non-Governmental Organisations with
financial assistance from the Government, among
which 5 homes are catering to the needs of
physically and mentally challenged children.
Children Homes provide the means for growth
and development such as food, clothing, shelter,
medical assistance, education, vocational training,
etc.
146
for children homes run by Government as
well as by Non Governmental Organisations.
7.3.3 Open Shelters for Children in need in

Urban and Semi Urban Areas
Open Shelters are established to provide a
safe shelter facility for children vulnerable to
abuse and exploitation such as homeless children,
pavement dwellers, street and working children,
drug and substance abuse, child beggars etc. At
present, 13 Open Shelters (one each in Salem,
Tirunelveli, Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore and 9 in
Chennai) are functioning in Urban and
Semi–Urban areas in Tamil Nadu. Maintenance
grant of `2000/- per child per month is being
provided to voluntary organisations apart from
expenses towards rent, water, electricity,
transportation and contingencies.

provided in Budget Estimate 2017-2018 for
the programme.
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7.4 CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH LAW
Child in Conflict with Law means a child who
is alleged to have committed an offence and has
not completed eighteenth year of age as on the
date of commission of such offence.
7.4.1 Juvenile Justice Boards

The Juvenile Justice Boards deal with the
children in conflict with Law. The Government of
Tamil Nadu had constituted 32 Juvenile Justice
Boards in the State to have a Juvenile Jusice
Board in each district. The Juvenile Justice Board
consists of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial
Magistrate of the first class with two Social
Worker Members (including one Woman Member).
Similar to Child Welfare Committee, the Board
also conducts the proceedings in a child-
friendly manner and not as judicial proceedings
of Court. The Board holds its sittings from Monday
to Friday not exceeding 20 sittings in a month.
148
for the effective functioning of Juvenile
Justice Boards.
7.4.2 Observation Homes
The Observation homes are established to
provide temporary residential care for children in
conflict with law while their cases are under
enquiry before the Juvenile Justice Boards. In
Tamil Nadu, there are 9 Observation Homes
directly functioning under Government. Of which
Observation Home at Madurai is under
construction. Children residing in the Observation
Homes are provided with basic amenities like
food, clothing, shelter, medical and non formal
education besides counseling and guidance. To
ensure the safety of children and for close
monitoring, the Government had installed
surveillance and security equipments to seven
Observation Homes. The inmates of these homes
are provided with conselling services through
consellors.
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for the programme.
7.4.3 Special Homes for Boys and Girls

Children found guilty of committing an
offence after due process of law by the Juvenile
Justice Board are sent to Special Homes for
rehabilitation. Children could stay in the special
home for a maximum period of three years. There
are two Government Special Homes, one at
Chennai for girls and the other at Chengalpattu
for Boys. In Special Homes, the children are
provided with education, vocational training,
counselling and facilities for co-curricular
activities to develop their skills for self reliance.
To ensure the safety of children and for close
monitoring, the Government had provided
surveillance and security equipments to
Government Special Homes with 100 KVA
Automatic Diesel Genset for uninterrupted power
supply.
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for the programme.
7.4.4 Resource Centres
Resource Centres are established for
providing Psycho–Social support, guidance for
children in need of care and protection as well
as children in conflict with law while their cases
are handled by Child Welfare Committees and
Juvenile Justice Boards respectively. These
centres also attend to the psychological needs of
children in the child care institutions while
referred by the Superintendents of child care
institutions and also their parents. The Resource
Centers are run by Non-Governmental
Organisations with the financial assistance from
Government in 14 Districts of Tamil Nadu.
A sum of `8 .88 lakh has been
for this programme.
151
7.4.5 Psychological Counselling for Children
Children alleged to have committed an
offence and admitted into Observation Homes
while not released on bail and similarly those
committed to Special Homes on being found
guilty by the Juvenile Justice Board exhibit
aggressive and deviant behavior at times as a
result of psychological and emotional problems
including withdrawal of addiction in certain cases.
In order to overcome the psychological trauma
and to help them to adjust with the institutional
environment, the Government have provided
counselling services to the inmates of the
Observation Homes and Special Homes through
the counsellors. The scheme provides for
engaging Psychological experts for counselling
children for 180 days in an year on a honorarium
basis of `1,000 per day for each counsellor.
A sum of `1 6 . 2 0 lakh has been
for this programme.
152
7.4.6 Construction of New Building for
Observation Home, Chennai.
The Government Observation Home in
Chennai is presently functioning in an old building
and not suitable for developing additional facilities
in terms of infrastructure to meet the present day
changing needs of children. Hence, to enhance
the safety and security of children with
comfortable accommodation, the Government has
sanctioned for construction of a new building at a
total cost of `250.00 lakh and the work is in
progress.
7.4.7 Construction of New Building for
Reception Unit in the campus of
Government Children Home,
Royapuram, Chennai
The Government Children Home in Chennai
is presently functioning in an old building and not
suitable for developing additional facilities in
terms of infrastructure to meet the present day
changing needs of Children in Reception Unit.
Further, Chennai being a Metropolitan City,
experiencing migrant population from other
153
States in large numbers. Since, transferring of
children to their respective States requires a
reasonable time for investigation by the Child
Welfare Committee, there is an inevitable need
for proper accommodation of children during such
period. Hence to have facilities for additional
accommodation and to enhance the safety and
security of children, the Government has
sanctioned a sum of `100.00 lakh for construction
of a new building for this Reception Unit.
7.4.8 Place of Safety

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of
Children) Act, 2015 envisages establishment of a
“Place of Safety” to accommodate children
between the age of 16 and 18 years and also
those completed eighteen years of age but
apprehended for offence committed while he was
under the age of eighteen years. Hence it is
essential that the “Place of Safety” require a
comprehensive rehabilitation programme with
enhanced security arrangements. The
154
Government have sanctioned a sum of
`42.00 lakh for repairs, renovation and additional
infrastructures to convert the erstwhile Reception
Unit building in Vellore as a “Place of Safety” and
the work is nearing completion.
7.4.9 The Juvenile Justice Fund

As per the provisions under the Juvenile
Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act,
2015, the Government have created “The Tamil
Nadu Juvenile Justice Fund” with a corpus of
`25.00 lakh for undertaking welfare and
rehabilitative activities for children. The fund
facilitates to implement activities which are of
urgent need as well as programmes that are not
covered under regular budget.
7.4.10 The Government After Care
Organisations
On completing rehabilitation programmes in
the children homes and special homes, if
children require extended institutional care after
18 years of age, such young adults are
accommodated in the after care organizations till
155
they attain the age of 21 years. Young Adults who
could not be restored to their family for various
reasons or children continuing their education
or undergoing training are usually admitted
in the After Care Organizations. There are two
After Care Organizations catering to the needs of
young adult boys one at Athur, Chengalpattu
(Kancheepuram District) and the other at
Madurai. One After Care Organisation is
functioning at Vellore for young adult girls.
In addition, a Non-Governmental
Organization in Mayiladuthurai in Nagapattinam
District is supported by Government for running
a shelter home with vocational training for
mentally challenged adults.
for this programme.
7.4.11 Suicide Prevention Programme for

School Children
In order to address the psychological
disturbances among children and their tendency
156
towards committing suicide especially during
their results of final examinations, the
department organised Suicide Prevention
Programmes in schools at a cost of `15.04 lakh.
This Programme is aimed to train 100 teachers in
the schools in each District as a “Training of
Trainers Programmes’ in collaboration with expert
NGOs in the field so as to keep the programme
ongoing at regular intervals.
7.4.12 Child Adoption

“Adoption” is the process through which the
adopted child becomes the lawful child of his
adoptive parents with all the rights, privileges and
responsibilities that are attached to a biological
child.
Adoption undoubtedly offers an important
avenue for the care and protection of orphaned,
abandoned, destitute, surrendered and neglected
children in a family environment and provides an
atmosphere of happiness, love and
understanding, thus bringing their talent and
157
capacity to the fore. It provides the child
emotional, physical and material security.
Further, adoption gives the issueless couple an
opportunity, happiness and the satisfaction of
having a child solely belonging to them.
As per constitutional rights, every child
should have Right to Live, Right to Education and
Rights against Exploitation. In order to fulfill the
rights, the Government have taken many
initiatives to provide care and protection.
Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)
an autonomous body under the Ministry of
Women and Child Development, Government of
India was formed and also State Adoption
Resource Agency (SARA) has been set up to
monitor in-country and inter-country adoption
programme at Central and State level.
To provide better environment in the “Best
interest of the child” the Juvenile Justice Act and
CARA Guidelines were framed by Government of
India. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of
158
Children) Act, 2015 emphasises the need for
rehabilitation and social integration of orphan,
abandoned or surrendered children. The guideline
also lays down procedures providing adequate
safeguards to the child placed in adoption and
ensuring that the priority is given to
in-country adoption and also inter-country
adoption through various institutions established
under this Act.
Specialised Adoption Agencies

There are 17 Specialized Adoption Agencies
(SAAs) functioning in Tamil Nadu to promote
in-country adoption and inter-country adoption.
These agencies are situated in Chennai (2), Salem
(2), Madurai (2), Kancheepuram (3) and one each
in the districts of Coimbatore, Krishnagiri,
Tiruchirapalli, Thoothukudi, Dindigul, Tirunelveli,
Namkkal and Vellore.
Apart from Cradle Baby scheme, babies are
enrolled through various other sources like Child
Line, Police, General public, hospitals, direct
159
surrender etc. As per CARA guidelines these
babies are given in adoption. The details of
children placed under ‘adoption’ from inception of
the programme till March 2017 is as follows:-
Sl. Children Male Female Total

No given for
Adoption
1. In-Country 1,178 3,689 4,867
2. Inter-Country 90 354 444
Total 1,268 4,043 5,311
A State Adoption Advisory Committee has

been constituted by the Government of Tamil
Nadu specifically to promote “in–country” and
“Inter-country” adoption. The babies are placed
under adoption legally by the competent Court
under the following Acts.
1. The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance

Act,1956 (HAMA),
2. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of

Children) Act, 2015.
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For transparent in the adoption programme,
the new guidelines insisted online registration,
information on adoptable children and information
on adoption agencies from August 2015 onwards
through National Informatics Centre, format
available in the www.cara.nic.in website.
7.4.13 Programme Development, Monitoring

and Evaluation Cell
In 1991, the Programme Development,

Monitoring and Evaluation Cell was established in
the Directorate of Social Defence with the
financial support of UNICEF to monitor the child
welfare programmes (Government and Non-
Governmental Organization). The Cell is
conducting meetings and conferences pertaining
to the children in difficult circumstances and
conducting inspections of all the Homes
maintained by the Government and Non-
Governmental Organizations. The cell is
mandated to periodically review the child welfare
programmes and suggest measures for
improvement. Now this cell is fully funded with
the State Budget.
161
7.4.14 Other Initiatives taken by the
Government
7.4.14.1 Infrastructure Facilities
The Government has sanctioned a sum of
`6.04 crore towards construction of new building
for Observation Home for Boys and Observation
Home for Girls at Madurai and also for
renovation of the building so as to convert it as
an office and Juvenile Justice Board.
7.5 EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES

The Government Child Care Institutions
mainly focus on educating children for their
empowerment. Children having aptitude for
higher education are sent to outside schools for
continuing education. Children having interest in
vocational training are provided with training in
vocational trade of their interest.
In majority of the Child Care Institutions, in
built schools have been established to provide
formal education. In Child Care Institutions
where schools are not available, children are
162
sent to nearby schools. Non-formal education
is provided in Child Care Institutions which
provide temporary reception such as Observation
Homes and Reception Units.
A sum of ``4.55 lakh has been
for this Programme.
7.6 MODERNIZED VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Children are imparted with skill based
vocational training such as tailoring, carpentry
and book binding by the regular staff of the
institutions. Apart from regular vocational
programmes, short term courses on
the1following trades are also organised with
the support of voluntary agencies:-
• Handy Man - Plumbing / Electrical /

Carpentary
• Videography / Photography
• Dress Making / Tailoring Embroidery
• Fabric Painting / Book Binding
• Handicraft / Artistic works / Painting
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• Soft toys / paper bag / Plate making /
Artificial Jewels making / Fabric , wall and
oil painting
• Computer DTP / Photo suite
• Beautician / Mehandi Application course
• Food processing
provided in Budget Estimate 2017-2018 for
this Programme.
7.7 CHILDLINE 1098

The children in crisis and children who
need immediate help or anybody who comes
across such children could immediately contact
the CHILDLINE, a toll free round the clock
national level outreach programme, implemented
by the Child India Foundation founded in June,
1996. The Nation vide common number Ten Nine
Eight (1098) has been assigned for child line
services. The childline services are executed by
the Non Governmental Organisations, with the
financial assistance of Government of India. The
services provided by the Non Governmental
Organisations are rescue and interventions. In
164
Tamil Nadu, the child line is functioning in all
Districts except Sivagangai, Namakkal and
Vellore.
7.8 INTEGRATED CHILD PROTECTION
SCHEME (ICPS)
implementing the centrally sponsored Integrated
Child Protection Scheme for ensuring child
protection by developing required structures for
effective Juvenile Justice Administration in the
State. The Integrated Child Protection Scheme
(ICPS) aims at building a protective environment
for children in difficult circumstances,
through Government-Civil Society partnership.
Objectives
The objectives of the scheme are effective
implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act,
contribution for the well being of children in
difficult circumstances and ensuring protection of
children in community as well as reducing the
vulnerabilities of children to situations and actions
165
that lead to abuse, neglect, exploitation,
abandonment and separation from parents.
These objectives are achieved by
• Improving access and quality of child

protection services
• Raising public awareness about child
rights and current situation prevailing in
India
• Enforcing responsibility and accountability
for child protection
• Creating child protection data
management system, child tracking system
and monitoring of child protection services
• Ensuring appropriate inter-sector response
at all levels.
7.8.1 Service delivery structures under
Integrated Child Protection Scheme
The Government has established the
following service delivery structures to
implement the Integrated Child Protection
Scheme effectively in the State:-
1. State Child Protection Society (SCPS)

2. District Child Protection Socities / Units
(DCPUs)
3. State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA)
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All the services available with Child Care
Institutions run by the Government / Non-
Governmental Organizations and Childline
programme are inter-linked with Child Welfare
Committees and Juvenile Justice Boards. The
children in need of care and protection and
children in conflict with law are benefited
directly under this scheme. Through training and
awareness programmes conducted under
Integrated Child Protection Scheme, the children
in the community are also benefitted.
provided in Budget Estimate 2017 - 2018 for
this Scheme.
7.8.2 Registration of all Child Care
Institutions under the Juvenile Justice
(Care and Protection of Children) Act,
2015
The Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 envisages

registration of Child Care Institutions as
mandatory and postulates legal punishment for
running of Child Care Institutions without
167
registration. The registration of institution helps
to monitor complete ground level situation,
analysis and service availability of basic
facilities in all such institutions in the State.
The registration of institutions will also
serve to have a complete data base of children in
the State to facilitate inter-linking of services
among Child Care Institutions. So far, 1,096
institutions have been registered and
841 instituions are closed for indadquate
infrastructure.
7.9 TRACK CHILD SYSTEM

Missing children, children running away
from their homes and those kidnapped are more
vulnerable to exploitation and various forms of
physical and sexual abuse and other human
rights violations. Early identification of such
children and timely restoration are the best
interventions for securing their life and ensuring
their safety. The Government of India has set up
a National Portal on Missing Child Tracking
168
System through National Informatics Centre
(NIC) to trace missing and found children. The
data on the portal serves as missing children’s
live database besides monitoring the progress of
the children in the institutions.
In Tamil Nadu, Child Track System has been

functioning very efficiently by linking all the Police
Stations, District Offices and Child Care
Institutions in interior parts of the State with
computers and network connections. The
Department of Social Defence had organized
training programmes on “the usage of the
software for entering data on the National Portal
on Missing Children Tracking System” for the
functionaries of Child Care Institutions.
7.10 THE IMMORAL TRAFFIC (PREVENTION)
ACT,1956
7.10.1 Aims and Objectives of The Immoral
Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956
I. To prevent commercial sexual
exploitation and trafficking among
women and girls.
II. To bring the traffickers, abusers and
pimps before justice.
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III. To rehabilitate the victims in such a
way that they are reintegrated into the
main stream.
7.10.2 Vigilance / Protective Homes
maintaining five Government Vigilance/
Protective Homes in Chennai, Madurai, Salem,
Coimbatore and Trichy under the Immoral Traffic
(Prevention) Act,1956 for the rehabilitation of
women victims of trafficking.
Vigilance / Protective homes accommodate

women victims who are in moral danger.
Women and girls are being admitted as per the
orders issued by the courts under various
provisions of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention)
Act,1956. In these homes basic services like
care, medical treatment and counseling are
provided to them as part of rehabilitative
measure. In these homes, different vocational
training is imparted to the victims according to
their interest in order to develop their skills and
to empower them.
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In order to maintain the dignity of the
affected women and to avoid revictimization, a
video conferencing facility at the cost of
`20.00 lakh has been established between the
Government Vigilance Home, Mylapore and
Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Saidapet to
facilitate “Virtual appearance in lieu of physical
production to Court” for the victims under the
Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act,1956.
7.10.3 Rescue Shelters

Women victims charged for offences under
the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act,1956 and
whose cases are under trial in the court are sent
to rescue shelter. There are six Rescue Shelters
functioning in the State. They are kept in the
shelters temporarily until their cases are disposed
of by the courts. These shelters are functioning
along with the Vigilance / Protective Homes and
one After Care Organisation in Vellore.
7.10.4 Unmarried Mothers Home

Unmarried Mothers Home functioning in
Chennai is attached to Government Vigilance
171
Home, Mylapore to take care of women and girls
who are victims of sexual exploitation and have
become pregnant. The Unmarried Mothers Home
at Adaikalapuram in Thoothukudi District is run
by Non-Governmental Organisation.
for Vigilance / Protective Homes, Rescue
Shelters and Unmarried Mothers Home.
7.11 REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES

In Tamil Nadu, the State Government has
taken up many welfare measures and
rehabilitation programmes for the welfare of the
Women and Girl Children. One such initiative
is the creation of “Tamil Nadu Social
Defence Welfare Fund for Women and Children”
under this Department. The main aim of the
fund is to meet the expenditure for
developing facilities for children including
institutional care, educational assistance to the
needy destitute children. Children could be
provided with a financial support upto `5,000 in
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cash or material assistance upto `10,000 to
purchase the equipments and raw materials for
self employment.
Vocational training is imparted to children

and women on trades like Carpentry, Weaving,
Book Binding, Gardening, Masonry, Tailoring,
Embroidery, Metal Work, Mat Weaving, Plumbing.
Similarly, women and girls discharged from the
Vigilance / Protective Homes are also given
financial support for their self employment.
7.11.1 State Initiatives for Combating

Trafficking and Commercial Sexual
Exploitation of Women and Children
To curb the menace of trafficking and

commercial exploitation, the Government of
Tamil Nadu has taken the following initiatives :-
State Level Coordination Committee under

the chairmanship of Chief Secretary to
Government of Tamil Nadu was setup.
District Level Advisory Boards under

the chairmanship of District Collector of the
concerned district were formed.
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Village Level Child Protection Committees
under the Chairmanship of Village
Panchayat President were formed in the
villages to have information of children
dropping from schools and missing children.
Tamil Nadu is the first State in setting up

of this three tier system for this purpose.
In addition to the above committees, a

High Level Supervisory Committee has
been formed under the Chairpersonship of
the Hon’ble Minister for Social Welfare to
oversee the steps taken to curb the menace
of trafficking of women and children for
commercial sexual exploitation and
also rehabilitation provided to the victims.
Refresher trainings were organized with

the asistance of Government and
UNICEF for organizations implementing
programmes for awareness generation,
rehabilitation of victims of commercial
sexual exploitation.
7.11.2 Scheme for Vulnerable Women

Victims Relief Fund
The State Government has announced a
financial assistance of `10,000 to victims rescued
from trafficking for their livelihood and
174
rehabilitation. So far, 209 victims have been
benefitted under this scheme.
Ujjawala Scheme
Trafficking of women and children for

commercial sexual exploitation is a crime planned
against human rights. It is necessary for taking
preliminary action to prevent trafficking in those
areas where probability of trafficking is higher.
To tackle the above threat, Ujjawala

scheme has been introduced by the Government
of India. This Scheme is a comprehensive
scheme for Prevention of trafficking, rescue,
rehabilitation and reintegration of victims of
trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.
There are 8 Non-Governmental Organisations
implementing this scheme in the State. The
financial requirement is shared between the
Centre, State and the implementing NGOs at the
ratio of 60:30:10.
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De-Addiction Programme
Drug Abuse Prevention Programme is

implemented in the State through
Non-Governmental Organisations through
financial assistance from Government of India.
The addicts of alcohol / drugs are given free
treatment for 21 days as inpatients in the
Integrated Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers
functioning under this Scheme. There are
26 centers functioning across the State.
7.12 THE TAMILNADU COMMISSION FOR

PROTECTION OF CHILD RIGHTS
The National Policy for Children, 1974

recognizes that programme for children should
find prominent place in National plans for the
Development of Human Resources. The
Government of India has acceded to the
Convention on the Rights of the Child
(CRC) on 11th December 1992 and adopted the
National Charter for Children,2003 on
9th February 2004 which underlines the
176
commitment of State to secure every child its
inherent right to be a child.
In continuation of adoption of the National

Charter for Children,2003, the Central
Government has enacted the Commissions for
Protection of Child Rights Act,2005 which
provides the constitution of National
Commission for Protection of Child Rights and
State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights.
constituted the State Commission for
Protection of Child Rights and it is
functioning since 18.01.2013 effectively.
The powers and functions of the Tamil

Nadu Commission for Protection of Child
Rights are given below:-
POWERS FUNCTIONS
This Commission has all powers ¾ To monitor / supervise the
of Civil Court for trying the case active implementation of
against the violation of Child following Child related
Rights under the Code of Civil legislations.
Procedure, 1908.
a. The Commissions for
Protection of Child Rights
Act, 2005.
177
b. The Child Labour
(Prohibition and Regulation)
Act, 1986.
c. The Juvenile Justice (Care
and Protection of Children)
Act, 2015.
d. The Prohibition of Child
Marriage Act, 2006.
e. The Right of Children to Free
and Compulsory Education
Act, 2009.
f. The Protection of Children
from Sexual Offences Act,
2012.
To get relevant documents ¾ To recommend to the
relating to the violation of Child competent authority to take
Rights issues from Police and necessary and immediate
other Departments. remedial steps towards
violation of child rights after
making necessary enquiries.
¾ To create awareness to the
General Public about child
rights.
¾ To take necessary action
against child rights violations
based on complaints received
To monitor the establishment of from General Public, Media,
Special Courts under POCSO NGO, and suo motto
ACT, 2012 cognizance of the cases.
To recommend the Government
towards compensation for ¾ To conduct Training /
victim children. Convening Programme to
Government / Non-
Governmental bodies with
respect to child rights.
¾ To develop child welfare
policy.
178
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory
Education Act, 2009
The Tamil Nadu Commission for Protection of
Child Rights is committed to monitor the
implementation of the Right of Children to Free and
Compulsory Education Act, 2009 as per the section 31 of
the Act.
Further, as per the section 12 (1c) of the Right of
Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act,
2009, the Commission also has the power to verify the
25% of admissions of the weaker and disadvantage
children in private and grant receiving schools across the
State.
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences
Act, 2012
As per the section 44 of the POCSO Act, 2012 the
Tamil Nadu Commission for Protection of Child Rights is
monitoring the implementation of the Act throughout the
State.
The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of

Children) Act, 2015
The Tamil Nadu Commission for Protection of
Child Rights is committed to monitor the
179
implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and
Protection of Children) Act, 2015 as laid down in the
section 109 of this Act.
Cases dealt with by the Commission
From the date of inception (18.01.2013) to till date,

the Commission has dealt with several cases relating to
violation of Child Rights received through News Papers,
Media, Public/NGOs, National Commission for Protection
for Child Rights and others. Around 1072 cases have
been resolved so far. The Official e-mail ID of the
Commission is scpcrtn@gmail.com and the Website is
www.scpcr.tn.gov.in.
A sum of `53.82 lakh has been provided in

Budget Estimate 2017-2018 for this Commission.
7.13 LINKAGES WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS FOR

CHILD PROTECTION
The Child Protection is a very wide field and hence
various departments vested with responsibility of
delivering required services to children need to come
together. The Department of Social Defence aims at
180
inter-linking such services to serve as a bridge between
the line departments by the convergence of their
services.
The Department of Social Defence is having a

close co-ordination with Social Welfare, Education,
Labour Welfare, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, National Child
Labour Project, Railway Police, Revenue, Integrated
Child Development Scheme, Rural Development,
Municipal Administration, Medical and Health, Child line,
Police, Judicial, Differently Abled Welfare Departments.
The Government has developed a strong District

level mechanism by constituting District Level
Committees with the members of different Departments
delivering services to children. The District Level
Co-ordination Committee / District Child Protection
Committee headed by the District Collector, with the
assistance of District Administration, is readily
available for child protection at district level. Awareness
and sensitization programmes have been conducted by
the Department of Social Defence for the prevention of
child marriage, sexual abuse, trafficking of children,
181
exploitation, begging, child labour, other forms of physical
abuse, etc.
7.14 SOCIAL DEFENCE OFFICIAL WEBSITE

AND E-MAIL ID
The official website of Social Defence is
www.socialdefence.tn.gov.in and e-mail ID is
dsd.tn@nic.in
********
182
CHAPTER - 8
SOCIAL SECURITY PENSION SCHEMES

implementing Social Security Pension Schemes to
protect the vulnerable sections of the society such
as old aged persons, differently abled persons,
widows, agricultural labourers, farmers, deserted
wives and unmarried women of age of 50 years
and above who are destitute and poor. Currently
the Government is giving `1,000 per month as
pension for all the pension schemes.
The allocation for all the pension schemes

has been substantially increased up to `3,949.97
crore in 2016-2017. As on 31.03.2017, a total of
29,75,885 beneficiaries are getting benefited
under the schemes as mentioned below: -
183
No. of
Sl. beneficiaries
Name of the Schemes
No. as on
31.03.2017
1 Indira Gandhi National Old 13,04,357
Age Pension Scheme (IGN-
OAPS)
2 Indira Gandhi National 56,217
Disability Pension Scheme
(IGN-DPS)
3 Indira Gandhi National 5,28,794
Widow Pension Scheme
(IGN-WPS)
4 Differently Abled Pension 2,18,572
Scheme (DAP)
5 Destitute Widows Pension 4,17,564
Scheme (DWP)
6 Chief Minister’s Uzhavar 3,10,514
Padhukappu Thittam
(CMUPT)
7 Destitute / Deserted Wives 1,14,248
Pension Scheme (DDWP)
8 Pension to Un-married, 21,141
Poor, Incapacitated Women
of age 50 years and above
(UWP)
9 Pension to SriLankan 4,478
Refugees
Total 29,75,885
184
The Central Government provides funds
partly for the pension schemes on the pattern
given below:-
Central
Sl. Name of the Eligibility
Government
No. Scheme Criteria
Contribution
1. Indira Gandhi 60 to 79 `200/-
National Old years
Age Pension
80 years `500/-
Scheme
and above
National years
Disability
Pension
National years
Widow Pension
In the interest of welfare of these

vulnerable categories of persons, the definition of
‘destitute’, which was prescribed in the year
1962, has been modified to enable all to get
benefits in the year 2015-2016 by the
Government and accordingly though such persons
have major sons / daughters, they are sanctioned
pension provided they normally live together and
185
are below poverty line. The ceiling on value of
fixed assets owned by the beneficiaries has also
been revised from `5000 to `50,000. The
Government issued orders deleting the eligibility
condition of “Destitute” for differently abled
persons and reduced the percentage of disability
from 60% to 40% in respect of Physically
Challenged person so as to enable them to get
pension.
The eligibility criteria to avail assistance
under the three pension schemes sponsored
under National Social Assistance Programme
(NSAP) in Tamil Nadu are as detailed below:-
S. Scheme Criteria
No.
1 Indira Gandhi ¾ Destitute
National Old Age ¾ Belonging to below
Pension Scheme poverty line family
(IGNOAPS) ¾ 60 years and above
2 Indira Gandhi ¾ Destitute
National Widow ¾ Belonging to below
Pension Scheme poverty line family
(IGN-WPS) ¾ 40 years and above
¾ Widow
186
3 Indira Gandhi ¾ Belonging to below
National Disability poverty line family
Pension Scheme ¾ 18 years and above
(IGN-DPS) ¾ Disability level
should be 80% and
above.
The important eligibility criteria for Social

Security Pension Schemes fully funded by the
Government of Tamil Nadu are as detailed
below:-
S.
Scheme Criteria
No
1 Differently Abled ¾ 18 years and above
Pension Scheme ¾ Disability level 40% and
(DAPS) above
¾ Fixed assets not exceeding
`50,000
2 Destitute Widow ¾ Destitute
Pension Scheme ¾ 18 years and above
(DWPS) ¾ Fixed assets not exceeding
`50,000
¾ Widow
3 Old Age Pension ¾ Destitute
under Chief ¾ 60 years and above
Minister’s ¾ Landless agricultural
Uzhavar labourers
Padhukaapu ¾ Fixed assets not exceeding
Thittam `50,000
(OAP-CMUPT)
187
4 Destitute / ¾ Destitute
Deserted Wives ¾ 30 years and above
Pension Scheme ¾ Must be legally divorced or
(DDWPS) deserted for not less than
5 years (or) obtained legal
separation certificate from a
competent Court of Law.
¾ Fixed assets not exceeding
`50,000
5 Pension to Poor ¾ Destitute

Unmarried ¾ Should have completed 50
incapacitated years
women of age 50 ¾ Should be an unmarried
years and above women
(UWP) ¾ Fixed assets not exceeding
`50,000
The Government also issued orders to

disburse the Social Security Pensions through
banks on identification of beneficiaries through
Bio-metric enabled smart cards. As on
31.03.2017, disbursement of pension through
Banks is made to 29,75,033 beneficiaries out of
total beneficiaries of 29,75,885 and through Post
Offices to the remaining beneficiaries.
One saree per female pensioner / one dhoti

per male pensioner is distributed twice a year i.e.
on Pongal and Deepavali festivals to all the
188
pensioners. The beneficiaries under the above
schemes are permitted to draw rice at free of cost
as per the following norms:-
4 Kgs of fine variety rice per month for

those who do not take meals at the
Anganwadi Centres.
2 kgs of the fine variety rice per month for
those who take meals at the Anganwadi
Centres.
Accident Relief Scheme (ARS)
Relief is given to the legal heirs of the

household below poverty line on the death of the
primary bread winner due to accident in respect
of 44 occupational categories. The Government
raised the quantum of assistance under ARS from
`15,000 to `20,000 from 31st December 2015.
Distress Relief Scheme (DRS)
On the natural death of the primary bread

winner of the family living below poverty line, the
assistance is paid to the legal heir of the
189
deceased. The Government enhanced the relief
amount from `10,000 to `20,000 from
31st December 2015.
Dr.V. SAROJA
MINISTER FOR SOCIAL WELFARE
AND
NUTRITIOUS NOON MEAL PROGRAMME
190
ANNEXURE
BUDGET ESTIMATE – 2017 - 2018
DEMAND No.45
SOCIAL WELFARE AND NUTRITIOUS MEAL

PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT
TOTAL BUDGET ESTIMATE FOR 2017-2018

`478117.21 Lakh
BUDGET ESTIMATE FOR THE YEAR 2017-2018
HEAD OF ACCOUNT (` in Lakh)
REVENUE SECTION Allocation
2059 Public Works 262.50

2225 Directorate of Social Welfare 30.26
2235 Directorate of Social Defence 15082.27
Directorate of Integrated
2235 Child Development Services 8150.95
Scheme
2236 Secretariat 23.16
Scheme
2251 Secretariat 431.56
REVENUE SECTION TOTAL 477713.16
CAPITAL SECTION
191
4235 Directorate of Social Welfare -
4235 Directorate of Social Defence 404.01
Scheme
CAPITAL SECTION TOTAL 404.03
Loans to Government
7610 0.02
Servants etc.,
LOAN SECTION TOTAL 0.02
Grand Total 478117.21
GROSS TOTAL:
REVENUE SECTION : ` 477713.16 Lakh
CAPITAL SECTION : ` 404.03 Lakh
LOAN SECTION :` 0.02 Lakh
-----------------------
TOTAL : `478117.21 Lakh
(or)
` 4781.17 Crore
-------------------------
A sum of `3,929.28 Crore has also been

provided in the Budget Estimate for 2017-2018
under the Demand No. 41 Revenue Department
for the implementation of Social Security
Schemes.
*****
192

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SOCIAL WELFARE

SL.NO CHAPTER PAGE

5 Welfare of the Aged and 96

6 Integrated Child 105

7 Social Defence 142

8 Social Security Pension 183

Annexure – Budget 191

POLICY NOTE 2017-2018

During the year 2001, this scheme was

As per 2011 Census, Cuddalore, Ariyalur,

Accordingly Reception Centers were opened

Mode of Deposits under the Scheme

Annual incentive of `1,800 is given to the

Census 2001 Census 2011

The Objectives of this scheme are

The District Collector is the Chairperson for

2.5 THE PROHIBITION OF CHILD MARRIAGE

Implementation of the Act

Steps taken for creating awareness to

4 homes for children with special needs are

3.2 MARRIAGE ASSISTANCE SCHEMES

3.2.1 MOOVALUR RAMAMIRTHAM

This scheme provides marriage assistance

3.2.2 Dr.DHARMAMBAL AMMAIYAR NINAIVU

3.2.4 ANNAI TERESA NINAIVU MARRIAGE

3.2.5 Dr. MUTHULAKSHMI REDDY NINAIVU

Types of Inter-caste Marriage

Scheme – I : Either of the spouse of the Inter-

Scheme – II : Either of the spouse should be

A sum of `1,100.41 lakh has been

3.3 GOVERNMENT SERVICE HOMES

Service Homes are run by the Government

3.3.1 Higher Education to girls

3.3.2 Secondary Grade Teacher Training

Girl Children who have completed Higher

3.4 GOVERNMENT WORKING WOMEN’S

3.5 SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Government of Tamil Nadu implement

1. Women Tailoring 80 73,047

3 Weaning Food 25 1,450

4 Other Industrial 3 1,743

Total 123 77,257

3.7 TAMIL NADU STATE COMMISSION FOR

3.8 TAMIL NADU SOCIAL WELFARE BOARD

2. To render technical and financial assistance

3. To monitor the Programmes aided by

The Government of Tamil Nadu provide

A sum of `10.00 lakh has been provided

RAJIV GANDHI NATIONAL CRECHE SCHEME

To give a helping hand to ailing mothers

3.10 TAMIL NADU THIRD GENDERS WELFARE

The foremost difficulty faced by the Third

The Government introduced a Pension

A sum of `220.00 lakh has been

3.11 LEGISLATIONS PERTAINING TO

1. Dowry Prohibition Act,1961

2. Protection of Women from Domestic

3. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Work