Diplomat Correspondent
Leh, DD: The Chief Secretary of Union Territory of Ladakh, Dr Pawan Kotwal chaired a meeting of Program Approved Board (PAB), for Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya for the FY 2025-26 at the Civil Secretariat Leh.
The meeting aimed to discuss and approve Annual Program Implementation Plan (APIP) for the following scheme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) GoI.
At the outset, the Administrative Secretary of Social and Tribal Welfare UT Ladakh, provided a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation on Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya. The presentation covered the important milestones achieved under the schemes, and discussed their existing structure, objectives, status of Child Care Institutions and non- Govt run CCI’s, staff details, observation homes, women and child care helpline, initiatives of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Agawadi-cum-creches, functioning of one stop centres, Sakhi Niwas, etc.
Under these schemes, the Secretary informed that all the initiatives are being taken to address socio-economic challenges, domestic violence related issues, sexual harassment, child care protection, and also helpline numbers have been issued to deal with all kinds of emergencies.
Hailing the collaborative endeavours of the officials, the Chief Secretary said that women in Ladakh should feel fearless, empower them at all levels by implementing these centrally sponsored schemes.
He also said that One Stop Centres which are operationional in both Leh and Kargil should be properly functional, terming it as first platform in addressing domestic violence against women. The Chief Secretary further instructed to check the feasibility of opening a creche centre in Civil Secretariat Leh, aimed to empower employed women here.
Ensuring the well-being and holistic development of specially-abled children in UT of Ladakh, the Chief Secretary said that no stone shall be left unturned to make schools for specially-abled well functional. He said that UT Ladakh is planning to engage separate doctors and physiotherapists including speech therapists, well trained teachers in such schools, aimed to overall well being of these students.
The Chief Secretary Ladakh emphasised that rising drug meance is another concern here, he directed concerned officials of Drug de addiction centers and District Magistrate Leh and Kargil to initiate rigorous campaign in schools, colleges and other institutions to curb it with practical measures.
It is pertinent to mention that Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya are two key umbrella schemes under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) aimed at holistic development, with Mission Shakti focusing on women’s safety, protection, and empowerment, and Mission Vatsalya on child protection and care.
The meeting was attended by Administrative Secretary Social and Tribal Welfare UT Ladakh; Administrative Secretary Higher and School Education UT Ladakh; Additional Secretary of Law and Justice;; Director of Social Welfare UT Ladakh; Director of Finance UT Ladakh; Deputy Secretary of Social Welfare and other concerned officials.
District Magistrate Kargil and other concerned officials joined the meeting virtually.DD