FROM JUNE 1, STATE GOVT TO IMPLEMENT SAG IN ALL DISTRICTS

The state government has decided to implement Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) in all 33 districts of the state from June 1. The scheme will facilitate, educate and empower adolescent girls in the age group of 11-14 years to enable them to become self-reliant and aware citizens.

The central government introduced SAG on a pilot basis in 2010-11. The scheme, which has two major components nutrition and non-nutrition, was operational in 508 districts across the country. Phasing out Rajeev Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls –‘Sabla’, which too aimed at empowering adolescent girls between 11 and 18 years, the central government has introduced SAG.

The central government has decided to extend SAG to all the districts of the country from April 1, 2018, and SABLA has been phased out.

“Realising the multidimensional needs of school-going preadolescent girls (11-14 years) and to motivate them to go to school, the government approved implementation of restructured SAG to focus on adolescent girls in the 11-14 year age group. SAG will be implemented using anganwadi centres (AWCs),” said Director Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Sushma Arora.

She said that as directed by the Union women and child development ministry, the baseline survey for identification of the beneficiaries has been completed in all districts. In the first phase of the survey, around two lakh girls have been identified.

Arora said a package of services will be given under SAG – nutrition provision; iron and folic acid supplements; health check-up and referral services; nutrition and health education; life skill education; and guidance on accessing public services. “All preparations have been made to effectively start SAG in Rajasthan from June 1,” she said.

Under the nutritional component, adolescent girls registered under the scheme will be provided supplementary nutrition similar to pregnant women and lactating mothers under ICDS. Nutrition is to be given is the form of take-home ration or hot cooked meals, whichever is feasible.

The central government will spend ₹9.50 per adolescent girl per day, under SABLA the amount was ₹5.

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