Parliament Question: Strengthening of OSC

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5538 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2026 STRENGTHENING OF OSC 5538. SHRI DARSHAN SINGH CHOUDHARY: Will the MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is taking steps for the expansion and strengthening of the One Stop Centre (OSC) scheme and other allied schemes aimed at providing immediate assistance, shelter, legal aid and counselling services to women in distress, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government proposes to implement special programmes in collaboration with State Governments to ensure the rehabilitation, skill development and economic self-reliance of women in distress, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether there is any specific plan to increase the number of such assistance centres and enhance the effectiveness of their services across various districts, particularly in Narmadapuram and Narsinghpur districts of Madhya Pradesh; and (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR) (a) to (d): The Government gives utmost priority to the safety, security, rehabilitation, skill development and empowerment of women and has adopted multi-pronged approach to address their social and economic empowerment across the country. Mission Shakti aims at strengthening interventions for women safety, security and empowerment. Mission Shakti comprises of two verticals ‘Sambal’ for safety and security of women and ‘Samarthya’ for empowerment of women. Mission Shakti is Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented across the country including Narmadapuram and Narsinghpur districts of Madhya Pradesh. One Stop Centre (OSC) provides integrated and immediate support and assistance under one roof to women affected by violence and those in distress, both in private and public spaces OSC provides services like medical aid, legal aid and advice, temporary shelter, police assistance and psycho-social counselling to needy women. In the 15th Finance Commission, it was envisaged to establish a total of 1033 One Stop Centres (OSCs) across the country to strengthen institutional support mechanisms for women in distress. As on date, 1,033 One Stop Centres (OSCs) have been administratively approved, out of which 926 are operationalacross the country. Shakti Sadan is an integrated relief and rehabilitation home for women in distress situations, including women rescued from trafficking. As on date, 419 Shakti Sadans are operational across the country. With the objective of ensuring economic independence for girls, the Government has launched the Skill India Mission to provide comprehensive skill development and vocational training. Government has also set up the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana across the country. Under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna (PMKVY), skill and vocational training is provided to women. Government has taken various initiatives/measures to boost employment opportunities in the country, including for women like Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Stand-UP India Scheme, Startup India, Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), Rural Self Employment and Training Institutes (RSETIs), Production Linked Incentive, etc. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), under which women self-help groups are changing the rural landscape for employment and self- employment. Similarly, National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) is for urban areas. Government is also implementing women centric schemes such as Namo Drone Didi, Lakhpati Didi, Women in Science and Engineering- KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN), SERB- POWER (Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research), etc. for improving the employability of women. *****