Strict action to curb child marriage, child labour and POCSO offences: Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner
Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff on Friday (August 7) directed the district administration, police and the Department of Women and Child Development to take stringent
Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff on Friday (August 7) directed the district administration, police and the Department of Women and Child Development to take stringent and coordinated measures to completely curb child marriage, child labour, child begging and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the district. Chairing meetings of the District Child Protection Committee, District Child Welfare Committee, Chief Minister’s Bal Seva Scheme Monitoring Committee and PM CARES for Children Scheme Monitoring Committee at his office, Mr. Shariff instructed officials to conduct mandatory monthly inspections of all government-run and NGO-managed childcare institutions to assess sanitation, safety and infrastructure, and submit detailed reports. Superintendent of Police Adduru Srinivasulu informed the meeting that charge-sheets in POCSO cases were being filed within the prescribed 60-day period.
District Child Protection Unit Officer V. Manjula Patil said 71 child marriage cases, 22 child labour cases, 16 POCSO cases and 14 child begging cases had been reported in the district during the review period. “A total of 198 children had been safely handed over to their parents or guardians. Of the 293 calls received through the Child Helpline, 285 complaints had been successfully resolved. Authorities had prevented the child marriages of 80 girls and one boy, while 22 child labourers and 13 children engaged in begging had been rescued and rehabilitated through special enforcement drives,” she said. The Deputy Commissioner directed hospitals to compulsorily register medico-legal cases whenever pregnancies involving minors are detected. He instructed officials to register FIRs based on entries in the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) portal and Mother Cards to ensure prompt legal action.
The meeting was informed that victims of POCSO offences and child marriage are provided ₹5,000 as emergency financial assistance. Children whose parents are HIV-positive or who are being cared for by relatives or other families receive ₹2,000 per month under the sponsorship scheme. Financial assistance of ₹4,000 per month is provided to orphaned children, children of persons affected by leprosy and other vulnerable children below 18 years of age, while ₹6,000 is extended to pregnant adolescent girls. Officials also informed the meeting that children residing in childcare institutions are being provided free admission to residential schools run by the Social Welfare Department. Youth who have attained the age of 18 are receiving ₹3,500 per month under the Upakara Scheme, while 19 girls are currently pursuing degree education, nursing and tailoring courses through After Care Homes.
The BriefWire