Minister of State for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath told the Rajya Sabha on Monday that a pilot project will be launched in Andhra Pradesh and other Naxal-affected states, with the aim to protect the rights of children in areas of civil unrest.
The 'Bal Bandhu' Scheme will also be implemented in 10 districts of 4 other states - Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. It will be implemented by the National Commission For The Protection Of Child Rights (NCPCR).
The decision to implement the scheme, in addition to the Integrated Child Protection Scheme, came after the Commission, a statutory body set up for the protection of child rights, received complaints about the rights of children being abused - by way of children being rendered orphans when the parents have been killed by Maoists, and the lack of education, health and nutrition entitlements, as well as safety for children.
The Ministry Of Women And Child Development (Govt. of India) had, in 2009-10, introduced the comprehensive scheme ICPS, for children in difficult circumstances, including children affected by civil commotion and armed conflict.
The scheme provides services such as family-based non-institutional care, open shelters, institutional services and emergency out-reach service.
Courtesy: INN
filed in:Naxalism, Development Projects, Tribal Welfare, Bal Bandhu