As per the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) Report No. 559(68/10/3), NSS 68^th Round, proportion of women engaged in domestic duties increased from 35.3 per cent in 2004-05 to 42.2 per cent in 2011-12 in rural areas. Further, in urban areas, proportion of women engaged in domestic duties increased from 45.6 per cent in 2004-05   to 48.2 per cent in 2011-12.

The Government of India provides direct/ indirect support in cash or kind to the mothers for nutrition support & child-care through various schemes such as Anganwadi services and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.

National Crèche Scheme is being implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme through the States/UTs with effect from 01.01.2017 to provide day care facilities to children (age group of 6 months- 6 years) of working mothers. The Scheme provides supplementary nutrition, health care inputs like immunization, polio drops, basic health monitoring, sleeping facilities, early stimulation (below 3 years), pre-school education for 3-6 yrs. As on 30.06.2019, 7930 crèches are functional across the country.

This information was given by the Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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MM