By IANS,
New Delhi : The government Wednesday announced the setting up of a Group of Ministers (GoM) to consider an ambitious scheme for the improvement of nutritional status and vocational skills of adolescent girls.
The cabinet committee of economic affairs had decided in March that a GoM should first consider the issue of approval of the Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG), also known as Sabla, a proposal submitted by the women and child development ministry, a statement said here.
The high-level group includes Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Labour and Employment Minister Mallikarjun Kharge, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister C.P. Joshi, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik, Tribal Affairs Minister Kantilal Bhuria and Minister of State for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath.
Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia is a “special invitee” to the panel.
The statement said an amount of Rs.4,500 crore has been earmarked for RGSEAG in the 11th five-year plan.
The scheme proposes to improve the nutritional status and vocational skills of girls of 16 years and above, as well as increase their general awareness on family welfare, health and hygiene. The local Anganwadi centre is envisaged as the focal point for service delivery.