New Delhi. The Expenditure of the Ministry of Women and Child Development on various developmental schemes and programmes related to women during the first 3 years of the Eleventh Five Year Plan period have been Rs. 114.13cr., Rs. 112.08 cr and Rs. 117.75 cr. respectively.

This information was given by Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister of State for Women and Child Development (Independent Charge) in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today. Shae said that during 2009-10, 21963 poor women have benefited and under the scheme of economic empowerment of women (STEP) 39383 women in difficult circumstances availed services of Swadhar scheme and the scheme of Short Stay Homes. The scheme of assistance for construction of hostel buildings for working women, since its inception, has sanctioned 887 hostels throughout the country, providing benefits to 4922 women. 

The Ministry has plans of increasing the coverage of these schemes particularly in uncovered areas to ensure wider coverage and access to the targeted group.