As we approach the beginning of the 11th Five Year Plan, the Department of Social welfare, women and Child Development can look back with pride the achievements of the last 5 years in the areas of nutrition, care for the physically challenged and empowerment of women. Some of the salient features in our campaign against malnutrition among children between the ages of 0 to 5 are the universalisation of the nutrition program to all the 212 blocks of the state. All children irrespective of their caste, creed and colour are covered by this scheme, including pregnant and lactating mothers. This is an important step in ensuring that the child of the poorest family in the state is ensured of adequate supplementary nutrition when it is most needed for his or her overall mental and physical well being.
            In the areas of the care of the physically challenged, one singular achievement is the introduction of a the Swami Vivekananda Nisshakt Swawlamban Protsahan Yojana whereby every physically challenged person above the age of 5 years is given a monthly stipend of 200 rupees. In all it is estimated that the state has a physically challenged population of around 3% of the total population. Besides this, a number if initiatives has been made to build, and commission blind schools in several districts.
            One notable achievement during the last plan period was the synergy developed between the Departments of Health and Family Welfare and the Social Welfare Department which has given a considerable boost to the success of routine immunization in the anganwadi Centers to children and mothers. This synergy is to be kept intact in the coming years as well.
            Empowerment of women and the care of the girl child also engaged the attention of the Department during the 10th Plan Period and the thrust in this area is proposed to be continued in the 11th Plan period as well. The prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace needs special mention as the department has spearheaded awareness campaign in all government offices and the educational institutes. Today each department has constituted complaints committees to take cognizance and take corrective action against offenders.
            The Department is now geared to meet the challenges of the 11th Five Year Plan with renewed commitment to our set goals and new approaches, to match the changes that are emerging in the society due to accelerated economic growth. With the economy growing at a rate of 8% and above, the outlook is bright. But along with accelerated economic growth there are also certain negative trends that we have to watch out for. The 11th Plan speaks of inclusive growth wherein the fruits of development and growth are equitably distributed among all sections of society. We must therefore ensure that the underprivileged and the differently enabled persons are not left out or marginalized. We must also ensure gender equity and protection of women at the workplace as more and more women goes out of their homes and engages in productive economic activity. Involvement of the non governmental agencies and the private sector needs to be encouraged to social commitments so that a strong partnership is built between government on the one hand and the private sector on the other.             One thrust area during the 11th Five Year Plan is the rescue and rehabilitation of adolescent girls who migrate from the rural heartland of the state to big metropolitan cities who are lured on the promise of jobs but later sexually and physically abused. With rapid economic growth, these are the side effects which are bound to occur and the department is committed that such vulnerable sections are protected; their problems documented and monitored with adequate safety net and rehabilitation schemes.