National Creche Scheme and Maternity Benefit Act in the country

LOK SABHA 

NATIONAL CRECHE SCHEME

977.  MS. MIMI CHAKRABORTY:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) the number of creches being run successfully in the country both by Government and private NGOs, State-wise;

(b) the number of creches setup in compliance with the National Creche Scheme and Maternity Benefit Act in the country during the last three years, State-wise and organization-wise;

(c) whether the Government has fixed any deadline for implementation of this scheme in the country; and

(d) if so, details therefor and if not, reasons therefor?

(SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) and (b) Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing the National Creche Scheme as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme through States/UTs with effect from 01.01.2017 to provide day care facilities to children (age-group of 6 months to 6 years) of working mothers.

As per Section 11A of the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 being administered by Ministry of Labour and Employment, every establishment having fifty or more employees is required to have the facility of crèche within such distance as may be prescribed, either separtely or along with common facilities. Under this Act, the State Governments are the appropriate Government for establishments other than mines and circus, to frame rules for the purposes of the Act, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment has already requested all State Governments for effective implementation of the Act.

The State/UT-wise number of creches being run under National Creche Scheme are at Annexure. The data of the crèches being run under Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 and by private NGOs  is not maintained centrally.

(c) and (d) National Creche Scheme is an existing scheme, which is now part of umbrella scheme called Mission Shakti relating to Women’s safety, security and empowerment.

Annexure

Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Un-Starred Question No. 977 for answer on 22.07.2022 regarding “National Creche Scheme”

State/UT-wise number of Crèches under National Creche Scheme as on 30th June 2022