The Punjab government has allocated a sum of Rs 605 million for the Department of Social Welfare & Bait-ul-Maal (SW&BM) Punjab and an additional amount of Rs 500 million as Other Development Programmes (OPDs) including the establishment of Violence against Women Centres (VAWC) at Divisional Headquarters.
According to the budget document 2017-18, the major part of the proposed allocation for FY 2017-18 will be utilised for the establishment of Qasr-e-Bahboods, Shelter Homes, Old Aged Homes, Children and Survivors of Violence against Women Centers (VAWCs) in various districts of Punjab. During FY 2017-18, the department will implement 10 new schemes which include disabled persons management information system, establishment of old age homes and centres for disabled, establishment of socio-economic centres in jails of Punjab, research studies on shelter homes, situational analysis of third gender and sustainable model of centres for mentally retarded children in Punjab.
About the targets and major initiatives of the department fixed for 2017-2018, it suggested the department has also planned for establishment of disabled persons management information system, establishment of centre for disabled (Nasheman) at Faisalabad and Bahawalpur, research study on the situational analysis/rehabilitation mechanism of third gender, establishment of socio economic rehabilitation centers in jails of Punjab and establishment of VAWC at divisional headquarters under proposed VAWC Authority.
The SW&BM is working with the vision to achieve the ultimate goal of welfare state through socio-economic uplift of the society and to improve the living conditions of the vulnerable/marginalised segments of society through institutional care. Objectives of social welfare department include creation of institutional care services and healthy living opportunities for vulnerable segments of population including destitute, old aged women and children, establishment of industrial homes (Sanatzars) to improve the skills of women and to increase the socio-economic empowerment of women, providing protection, institutional care, educational and vocational training to destitute women, children, disabled and elderly by constructing industrial shelter homes and Qasar-e-Behboods in Punjab.
In ADP 2016-17, an allocation of Rs 584 million was made for 10 on-going and 19 new schemes which were revised to Rs 507 million. In FY 2016-17, it said more than 90 percent of allocation has been utilised during the FY 2016-17. Out of total 29 on-going and new schemes, 13 schemes are to be completed up to 30th June, 2017. During 2016-17, state of the art violence against women centre (VAWC) was established and inaugurated by the Chief Minister Punjab in Multan. Moreover, Social Welfare Department has provided and improved its facilities like shelter homes for the neglected women, old age homes for aged, children homes, beggar homes, and District Industrial Homes (Sanatzars) during FY 2016-17. Achievements made during FY 2016-17 include establishment of Qasar-e-Behbood at Sialkot; Construction of building of Industrial Home at Vehari; Remodeling of existing Shelter Homes (Dar-ul-Amans) in 36 districts of Punjab; Construction of Shelter Homes in five districts of Punjab (Phase-III) - Chakwal, Okara, Jehlum, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin.