Staff of the One Stop Centres (OSC) under Mission Shakti-Sambal Scheme in Meghalaya have been unpaid for months, putting them under duress to make ends meet
The Government of India had launched “Mission Shakti”- integrated women empowerment programme, as umbrella scheme for safety, security and empowerment of women for implementation during the 15th Finance Commission period 2021-22 to 2025-26.
There are 11 operational OSCs in the State where they have been able to assist over 1347 women affected by violence and in distress till 2022.
Yet the staff dealing with the safety, security and empowerment of women in the state are being treated unfairly.
Sources said staff in the OSC Ri Bhoi have not been paid for seven months while those in East Jaiñtia Hills and South West Khasi Hills for four months.
The worst affected staff of these OSCs is in West Khasi Hills district. The staff here ranging from centre manager, case worker, para medical, para legal personnel, counsellor and others continued to work despite not getting their salary since January, 2022.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the centre in March this year released Rs. 1, 16, 73,210 to the Meghalaya government for running the OSCs, which also includes salary of the staff, services to beneficiaries and first aid to victims of rape.
It may be noted that the OSC scheme has been in place since April 1, 2015, and is currently implemented in each district of the country. Each OSC has 18 staff including a case worker, paramedical staff, helpers, IT staff and security. Additionally, there is a centre administrator, legal staff, a lawyer and a counsellor (a female police facilitation officer is also stationed at the centre).
