Budget 2024: What’s In Store For Women Workers? FM Sitharaman Announces Working Women Hostels

During the union Budget 2024 presentation, the Finance Minister announced that working women hostels will be set up to promote higher participation of women in the workforce. The establishment of hostels and creches is expected to support this initiative.

Additionally, a National Cooperation Policy is to be introduced by the government for overall development. Financial support will be provided for loans up to ₹10 lakh for higher education in domestic institutions, as reported by Free Press Journal.

Budget 2024: What's In Store For Women Workers?

The Union Budget 2024-25, which will allocate schemes worth ₹3 lakh crore to benefit women and girls, was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday, July 23. During the presentation of the Union Budget 2024, three schemes for 'Employment Linked Incentives' were also introduced, including the Prime Minister's Package for employment and skilling.

Scheme 'A' is designated for 'first-timers,' Scheme 'B' aims to facilitate 'job creation in manufacturing,' and Scheme 'C' is designed to 'support the employers,' as reported by the Mint.

In the Lok Sabha, following the BJP's victory in the general elections in 2024, ₹1.48 lakh crore was announced for education, employment, and skills in the country. It was emphasized by Nirmala Sitharaman that the Budget 2024 will focus on employment, skilling, MSMEs, and the middle class. The need to address the poor, women, youth, and farmers was reiterated, as mentioned in the interim budget.

Government Launches Working Women Hostel Scheme: Check Eligibility

The Central Government has introduced the Working Women Hostel Scheme, aimed at addressing the housing needs of working women. The scheme is designed to provide safe and convenient accommodation for women who relocate for work, supporting their empowerment and promoting higher workforce participation.

Under the scheme, financial grants are offered to construct new hostels or expand existing facilities in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas. The objective is to enhance accommodation options for working women and provide daycare services for their children. Hostels will be established without discrimination, ensuring availability to all working women and offering facilities for those undergoing job training.

Objectives of the Working Women Hostel Scheme

• Safe Accommodation: To provide secure and convenient living spaces for working women and daycare facilities for their children.
• Regional Coverage: To establish hostels in areas with employment opportunities for women, including rural and semi-urban regions.
• Support for New Projects: To assist in setting up new hostels, renting existing premises, or expanding current facilities.
• Inclusive Access: To ensure hostel availability to all working women, including those undergoing job training for periods exceeding one year.

Beneficiaries of the Scheme

The scheme targets various categories of working women:

• Working Women: Including widowed, single, separated, or married women whose family does not reside in the same area. Priority may be given to women from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with physical disabilities.
• Women in Training: Those undergoing job training for more than a year can stay if space is available, though their number will not exceed 30% of the hostel's capacity.
• Children: Boys up to five years and girls up to 18 years accompanying their working mothers can stay in the hostels.

Eligible Agencies

Several types of organizations can apply for assistance to establish or expand hostels:

• State Government Agencies: Including Women Finance Corporations and Women Development Corporations.
• Urban Municipal Bodies: Such as cantonment boards.
• Panchayati Raj Institutions and SHGs: Self Help Groups.
• Educational Institutions: Recognized colleges or universities.
• Civil Society Organizations: With a focus on women's welfare and registered under relevant acts.
• Public Trusts and Cooperatives: Including associations like ASSOCHAM, CII, and FICCI.
• Ministries and State Governments: Can also construct and lease hostels to experienced organizations.

Rules and Guidelines

• Income Limit: Working women with a monthly income of up to ₹50,000 in metropolitan areas or ₹35,000 in other areas are eligible. Those exceeding these limits must vacate within six months.
• Rent Charges: Rent varies based on room type, with maximum charges set at 15% of gross remuneration for single rooms, 10% for double rooms, and 7.5% for dormitories. Daycare services are charged at 5% of gross remuneration or actual expenditure, whichever is lower.
• Stay Period: A working woman can stay for up to three years, extendable in exceptional cases to a maximum of five years.

Application Process

• Application Submission: Eligible agencies must apply to the state's Department of women and Child Development with necessary documents.
• Required Documents: Include organizational prospectus, annual reports, building plans, and lease agreements.

Financial Assistance

• Cost Sharing: The construction cost is shared between the Central Government, State Government/UT, and implementing agencies, with different ratios for general and North-Eastern/Himalayan states.
• Rent and Maintenance: For rented premises, costs include housekeeping and maintenance, with periodic grants for item replacements.

The scheme aims to support working women by providing them with the infrastructure needed to balance their professional and personal lives, ensuring they have access to safe and affordable accommodation as they contribute to the workforce.