- Women and Child Development Department initiates women’s hostel project in Pune.
- ₹42 lakh allocated for 11 leased facilities across the state.
- Funding was approved through a notification issued on February 14.
The Women and Child Development Department has launched a women’s hostel project in Pune, allocating ₹42 lakh for 11 leased facilities across the state. The funding, approved through a notification on February 14, includes ₹25 lakh from the Chennai government and ₹17 lakh from the state.
This allocation marks the beginning of a larger initiative to establish 50 working women's hostels across Maharashtra, with a strategic emphasis on urban centers, particularly Mumbai, Pune, and Thane.
"A total of 11 leased buildings have been initiated with the initial funding. The proposal for these facilities has received central approval," a senior WCD official stated. The remaining 39 facilities are currently under evaluation to decide whether to build or lease them.
The Sakhi Niwas initiative, part of the Union government’s Samarthya sub-scheme, aims to provide secure accommodation for working women in key employment hubs. The official noted that lease costs would vary significantly between urban and rural areas, influencing the department's approach to facility acquisition.
The announcement, however, has been met with skepticism from women’s rights advocates and potential beneficiaries. "A number of existing hostels across the state lack proper monitoring and adequate security," said a working professional who chose private accommodation after reviewing the current facilities. Currently, there are 74 such hostel facilities across the state.
Women’s rights activists argue that while the funding allocations appear promising on paper, the implementation of such projects often falls short. The department expects the initial 11 hostels to become operational within a month. All facilities must meet specific criteria, including strategic locations in safe areas and convenient access for working women.
The officials said that "The funds are in, but we have yet to appoint dedicated staff under WCD for these hostels to begin operations,"
Throughout the program, residents can stay for up to three years, paying rent based on the unit size (15% of income for 1-bedroom units and 10% for 2-bedroom units). The hostels also offer daycare facilities at 5% of the income. In addition, the facilities include meals, safety measures, and medical services.
The program is managed by government shortlisted institutes, providing business opportunities for entrepreneurs to identify rental properties and partner with approved institutes through MOA/MOU agreements. Children are also allowed to stay with the women in the hostels.
