RACNHI: The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) organized a one-day Regional Symposium on Child Protection, Child Safety, and Child Welfare at Darbhanga Hall, Central Coalfields Limited, Ranchi. The event saw participation from four states: West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar. More than 800 representatives from Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), Members of the Village Child Protection Committee (VCPC), and Anganwadi Workers attended the Symposium. This program is part of a series of regional symposiums across the nation aimed at raising awareness about child protection, child safety, and child welfare issues.

The Symposium had distinguished guests, including Dr. Munjapara Mahendrabhai, Minister of State for the Ministry of Women and Child Development and Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, Shri Sanjeev Kumar Chadha, Additional Secretary, Women and Child Development, and Shri Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

The primary focus of the program was on the Amendments in the Juvenile Justice Act and Rules. It emphasized the impact of these amendments on adoption processes, and Prospective Adoptive Parents shared their positive experiences following the Amendment in September 2022.

In his welcome address, Additional Secretary, MWCD, Shri Sanjeev Kumar Chadha, highlighted the positive changes in child adoption procedures. The process has been streamlined and made transparent, including the issuance of an Adoption Certificate by the District Magistrate, bringing significant benefits. He also mentioned the integration of the child helpline with the emergency number 112 across all states to enhance its capacity and provide timely assistance to those in need.

Shri Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson, NCPCR, shared important developments, such as PM Cares for Children announcing sponsorship for children up to 23 years of age for the first time. He also mentioned the increase in financial support for non-institutional childcare from Rs. 2000 to Rs. 4000 per month and the removal of the limit of 40 children per district under Mission Vatsalya.

Dr. Munjapara Mahendrabhai, Minister of State, MWCD, highlighted the benefits of the PM CARES for Children Scheme, supporting children who lost their parents to the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 4418 children have been aided through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Education, Health, Tribal Affairs, and Minority Affairs, among others.

He also discussed the launch of Mission Vatsalya, which encompasses various aspects of child development and incorporates the ongoing Scheme 'Child Protection Services' during the 15th Finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The Ministry has further requested the States/UTs to ensure Aadhaar enrollment of all children in Institutional and Non-Institutional Care.

Overall, the event provided a valuable platform for sharing the successful Mission Vatsalya initiatives.
 

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