The Maharashtra Legislative Council discussed the expansion of women's counselling centres across the state. Members raised concerns over low pay, staff shortages and inadequate facilities.
Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare told the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Thursday, July 2, that the state government plans to expand women's counselling centres to every taluka. She also said a proposal to increase the pay of counsellors has been prepared and will be sent to the Cabinet for approval.
The issue was discussed in the House during a calling-attention motion raised by MLC Madhavi Naik. She said the counselling centres help women and children facing domestic violence and other disputes. They operate from many places like police stations etc.
As per sources, many of these centres are struggling because of low funding, delayed grants, staff shortages and poor facilities. Counsellors currently receive an INR 12,000 per month as an honorarium. The amount was increased from INR 8,000 in 2014. A proposal seeking a revision of the honorarium was sent to the women and child development department in June 2025, but no decision has been taken so far.
She timely released grants and improved training for counsellors. Responding to the discussion, Tatkare said 135 counselling centres are working across Maharashtra. She said the government will extend the network so that every taluka has a counselling centre.
BJP MLC Chitra Wagh also supported the demand for a higher honorarium. She said counsellors provide important support to women facing violence and emotional distress. She also demanded the expansion of one-stop crisis centres, also known as 'Sakhi Centres'. Tatkare assured the House that the government would examine all the suggestions related to one-stop centres.
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