Grant-in-Aid Scheme: Empowering Women Labor in India’s Informal Sector

The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, has been providing financial assistance through a Grant-in-Aid Scheme to voluntary and non-governmental organizations since 1981-82. This scheme supports action-oriented projects aimed at benefiting women labor, particularly those in the unorganized and informal sectors.

Objectives of the Grant-in-Aid Scheme

The scheme is designed with the following objectives:

• Empowerment of Women: To empower women workers by making them aware of their rights and duties under various labor laws.

• Organization of Women Labor: To facilitate the organization of unorganized women labor through awareness generation programs.

• Economic Independence: To promote the economic independence of women, enabling them to participate actively in socio-economic development.

• Access to Benefits: To help women workers avail various benefits available to them under different labor laws and government schemes.

• Provision of Legal Aid: To provide legal aid and counseling support to vulnerable women labor.

• Support for Self-Help Groups: To organize and assist in the formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for women laborers and support their sustainability.

• Health Awareness: To sensitize women labor regarding health-related issues and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Scope of Assistance

The scheme provides financial assistance for:

• Action-Oriented Programs: Grants are provided to voluntary and non-governmental organizations to conduct awareness campaigns and training programs for women labor.

• Research Studies: Financial assistance is also provided to academic institutions to undertake research studies on the problems and issues relating to women labor.

Financial Assistance Details

• Action-Oriented Programs: Organizations can receive up to 75% of the recurring cost of the project (90% for projects in North-Eastern States) as per the approved budget. The remaining cost has to be borne by the organization.

• Research Studies: Research studies are funded in full, with the duration decided on a case-by-case basis.

• Duration: Assistance is provided for a minimum of one year and generally restricted to the currency of the Five Year Plan, with a maximum sanction of three years at a time.

Eligibility for Organizations

Organizations eligible for financial assistance under this scheme include:

• Societies registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

• Public Trusts registered under any law in force.

• Registered Trade Unions.

• Charitable Companies licensed under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956.

• Universities/Institutions of higher learning set up by an Act of Parliament/Assembly.

• Organizations/Bodies/Self-Help Groups created under Plan/Non-Plan Schemes under Central/State Government control.

Specific Requirements for Voluntary Organizations

Voluntary organizations must:

• Ensure that their welfare programs are accessible to all women, without discrimination.

• Be in a sound financial position with the ability to execute programs effectively.

• Preferably have two years of practical experience in implementing welfare programs.

• Have been successfully involved in forming and promoting local Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

Preference is given to:

• Reputed organizations, NGOs, Self-Help Groups, and Universities/Institutions with experience in programs like Mahila Samakhya.

• Organizations set up under Central/State Government control, for whom the financial requirements may not be binding.

Types of Activities Supported

The scheme provides financial assistance for activities such as:

• Organizing working women and educating them about their rights and duties under various labor laws.

• Providing legal aid to working women.

• Organizing seminars and workshops to raise awareness about women labor issues.

Procedure for Availing Assistance

1. Application: Organizations submit applications in Form I through the State Government/District Magistrate.

2. Recommendation: The State Government/District Magistrate sends their comments to the Ministry of Labour and Employment within three months.

3. Committee Review: A committee reviews the proposals, and if necessary, the applicant may be asked to modify the proposal.

4. Grant Offer: The decision of the committee is conveyed to the organization in the form of an offer of Grant-in-Aid (Form VI).

5. Acceptance: The organization submits acceptance of the offer (Form VII).

6. Fund Release: The Ministry releases funds in installments, subject to the terms and conditions.

Terms and Conditions for Grant-in-Aid

• Grants must be used for the specified purpose.

• Organizations must submit annual utilization certificates and quarterly progress reports.

• The Ministry may conduct physical checks to assess the status of the project.

• Accounts are open to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

• The Ministry can stop further grants if objectives are not being met or conditions are not adhered to.

Conclusion

The Grant-in-Aid Scheme for women labor is a critical initiative that supports the empowerment of women workers in India’s informal sector. By providing financial assistance to organizations working on the ground, the scheme promotes awareness, access to rights, and overall socio-economic development for women laborers.