Raipur, 05 August 2024
The meeting of the Executive and General Assembly of the State Child Protection Committee constituted under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, Child Welfare and Protection Committee was held today at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan under the chairmanship of Secretary Women and Child Development Department and ex-officio Chairperson State Child Protection Committee Smt. Shammi Abidi. In the meeting, the Secretary Women and Child Development discussed in detail important issues related to child protection and coordination with various departments. Joint Director, Mission Vatsalya presented information on various works currently being done in the field of child protection in the state, institutional and non-institutional care services being provided under Mission Vatsalya operated for the implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 as amended in 2021.
It was told in the meeting that 93 child care institutions are operating in the state, out of which 67 are for children in need of care and protection and 26 institutions are for children in conflict with law. 2046 children reside in these institutions, out of which 1318 children are studying in school and 29 children will give examination through open school. In the year 2023-24, 32 children of class 10th and 23 children of class 12th residing in child care institutions passed in first division. Aptitude test of 136 children was conducted for subject selection for the upcoming academic session. Children of Kondagaon and Mahasamund district performed in judo and archery sports. As a result, admission has been provided in Sai Hostel and Sports Academy. The Secretary of Women and Child Development Department directed for effective implementation of the joint action plan of Women and Child Development Department and related departments to provide good education for the all-round development of children living under institutional care, to link them with skill training, to take proper health care of the children. The Sports and Youth Welfare Department was directed to include these children in their activities.
In adoption under non-institutional care, 79 children were given for adoption in the year 2023-24 and 20 children this year. 812 children are being benefited under the sponsorship program. The secretary gave instructions to publicize it widely and benefit maximum eligible beneficiaries. 14 children were benefited under foster care and 85 children under after care.
Chhattisgarh Bal Kosh has been constituted as per the provision of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 as amended in 2021, in which post facto approval was given by the State Child Protection Committee after approval of the proposals received from the districts. Information about benefiting 108 beneficiaries under the PM Care for Children Scheme operated for children orphaned due to the Covid disaster was given by the concerned officer.
The committee members were informed about the scheme run by the Central Government for the rehabilitation of POCSO victims and about the operation of Child Helpline 1098 run by the State Government from September 1, 2023, and its integration with Women Helpline 181 and ERSS 112. 1571 cases were resolved against 1623 cases received in the Child Helpline. The Secretary directed for wide publicity of helpline numbers 1098, 181, 112 and district-wise analysis of crimes committed against and by children and to prepare an action plan and its effective implementation.
It was told in the meeting that instructions were given for qualitative improvement of the works and efforts being done in the state for child protection and best interest of children. The members of the committee were informed about the Child Marriage Free Chhattisgarh Campaign. 161 child marriages in the year 2023-24 and 146 child marriages in the year 2024-25 have been prevented through inter-departmental coordination. The innovations being done by the state government, Ullas, Ujiyar, Umang, Umeed and Bal Uday Yojana were discussed in detail. Along with this, information about various activities taking place in child care institutions like Swachhata Pakhwada, Yoga Day, Mental Health Day, Veer Bal Day was shared.
In the year 2023-24, as per the guidelines of Mission Vatsalya, the financial proposal sent to the Government of India was given post facto approval by the committee. The committee gave post facto approval to the training action plan for 2024-25, publicity activity action plan, audit work of the year 2022-23. The committee members were informed about preparing the draft of the child protection policy of Chhattisgarh state. The Secretary directed to prepare a coordinated action plan for publicity in the best interest of children, and result-oriented action on points related to the department.
Director Women and Child Development Mrs. Tulika Prajapati, Joint Secretary, Women and Child Development Department Dr. Renuka Shrivastava and representatives of other supporting departments – Home Department, Health and Family Welfare Department, Social Welfare Department, Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Finance Department, Higher Education Department, Technical Education Department, State Legal Services Authority, Railways and NIC etc. participated in the meeting.
