government allocated ₹16,335 crores ($2.18 billion) to the programme. The widespread network of ICDS has an important role in combating rural malnutrition especially for children of weaker and marginalised groups. National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, is a social welfare measure that aims to guarantee the 'right to work'. It is considered to be one of the world's largest public work programs. This act was passed in September 2005 under the UPA government of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. It aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. As of 2021, the government allocated for this scheme. Together with the central and state governments, the net allocation was in 2021, a massive increase from the budgeted estimate in order to counter the economic loss caused by the COVID-19 lockdown. In 2023, the program’s budget has been slashed by the Centre to . National Social Assistance Scheme The National Social Assistance Programme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Government of India that provides solidarity financial assistance to people who are unable to work, widows/widowers and persons with disabilities in the form of social pensions. In 2020, this program cost the government $2.5 billion, highlighting cuts in welfare spending despite the COVID-19 lockdown. Welfare measures in various states Below are some of the measures undertaken at the state level for social security and welfare purposes in India. West Bengal Kanyashree () is an initiative taken by the Government of West Bengal to improve the life and the status of the girls by helping economically backward families with cash so that families do not arrange the marriage of their girl child before eighteen years because of economic problem. The purpose of this initiative is to uplift those girls who are from poor families and thus can't pursue higher studies due to tough economic conditions. It has been given international recognition by the United Nations Department of International Development and the UNICEF. The scheme has two components: Annual scholarship of Rs. 1000.00 One time grant of Rs. 25,000.00 The annual scholarship is for unmarried girls aged 13–18 years enrolled in class VIII-XII in government recognized regular or equivalent open school or vocational / technical training courses. Recently the bar of income is withdrawn