The Union government has expanded and made universal the Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG), commonly known as the SABLA Scheme. This state-run initiative assists girls aged 11-18 who are not enrolled in school by providing them with essential nutrition and healthcare support. The SABLA program is designed to supersede the former Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls (NPAG) and the Kishori Shakti Yojana (KSY).
The central administration launched the SABLA or RGSEAG initiative in 2010, initially covering 205 districts. Subsequently, during the 2017-18 period, the government extended the program to an additional 303 districts, bringing the total to 508. Now, the central government has rolled out the scheme to cover all remaining districts nationwide. Furthermore, every district within the North Eastern (NE) region will be integrated through this phased expansion.
Goals of the Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG)
The primary objectives of the SABLA or RGSEAG program include the following:
- Supporting adolescent girls in achieving self-reliance and empowerment.
- Enhancing their overall nutritional and physical health.
- Raising awareness regarding hygiene, nutrition, reproductive health, and family care.
- Improving life skills and home-based capabilities, while connecting with the National Skill Development Program (NSDP) for vocational training.
- Encouraging out-of-school girls to re-enter formal or non-formal education.
- Providing guidance on utilizing public services like banks, post offices, police stations, and healthcare centers.
Official Notification - You can access the formal guidelines for the RGSEAG program via this link - https://wcd.nic.in/sites/default/files/1-SABLAscheme_0.pdf
Services Provided via the SABLA Scheme
RGSEAG is a centrally funded initiative operating under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) framework. The program delivers a comprehensive package of services to adolescent girls as follows: