Page 193 - economic review

165SOCIAL SERVICE

Box No 4.9

Major Initiatives of Social Justice Department

Social Audit of Anganwadis:-A model social auditing of the Anganwadis of Tirunelly Grama
Panchayat in Wayanad district was carried out through the Village Social Auditors with
the technical support of TISS and UNICEF. The report suggested that human resource
development, community involvement and management of Anganwadis are the key areas to
be addressed.

One Stop Crisis Cells (OSCCs):- As part of Nirbhaya initiatives, OSCCs established in 14
District hospitals and 6 Taluk hospitals. It is a victim friendly first response point providing all
required services - emergency health care, psychological counseling, police assistance, legal
aid and safe shelter service to women victims of sexual violence.

Model Anganwadis: - It is a centre to bring the aged persons, children below six years,
adolescent girls and mothers into a common platform. So far 11 model AWCs were completed.

4.116 The policies and programmes for senior citizens aim at their welfare and maintenance,
especially for indigent senior citizens, by supporting old age homes, day care centres, mobile
medicare units, etc. These programmes are implemented through the SJD in close collaboration
with non-governmental organizations and civil society.

State Old Age Policy, 2013

4.117 The policy emphasis the well-being and care of older persons especially the widowed and
disabled, and focuses on maintaining the dignity, health and rights of older persons. The department
should develop a Plan of Action with better resource allocation as well as achievable targets,
measurable indicators and deadlines for the well-organized implementation of the policy.

Institutional Services to Aged People

4.118 During 2013, there were 11 Government Old Age homes with 624 inmates against the
sanctioned strength of 1000. Also there were 27034 inmates in 532 registered Old Age homes run
by NGOs. In addition a number of private Old Age homes (free and pay-and-stay) are functioning in
the state. Many of these homes are running with poor infrastructure, managerial problems, lack of
health care facilities like geriatric care including pain and palliative care units, counseling facilities,
etc. Revamping the homes as part of the State Old Age Policy is obligatory for creating a healthy,
physical, social and family environment.

Old Age Pension Scheme

4.119 It is a monthly pension scheme shared by both State and Centre for BPL persons aged 60
years or above. During the reporting period, the scheme benefited close to 3.80 lakh older persons.
The maximum coverage is from Trivandrum district and the least from Pathanamthitta. District wise
coverage in 2013 is given in Appendix 4.66.

Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP)

4.120 As per the scheme, financial assistance upto 90% of the project cost is provided by GOI to
State Government/ NGOs/Panchayati Raj Institutions, etc. for establishing and maintaining old age

Economic Review 2014