Latest news with #ChildWelfare
New Indian Express
6 hours ago
- New Indian Express
36 bonded labourers, including 4 children, rescued in Krishna basin; 8 arrested for trafficking
NALGONDA: Nalgonda police arrested eight individuals accused of exploiting migrant workers as bonded labourers along the Krishna River basin. Superintendent of Police (SP) Sharath Chandra Pawar said the traffickers brought in workers from states like Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha, under false pretences. Victims were promised salaries, food, and minimal working hours, but were instead subjected to gruelling conditions without pay. A joint rescue operation by the police, Revenue, and Child Welfare departments led to the rescue of 36 bonded labourers — including four children — from the Devarakonda sub-division. The accused — Vadtya Jawaharlal, Ramavath Ramesh, Mailapalli Shiva, Kare Simhachalam, Vanka Visakha, Eripalli Babuji, Chapala Tata Rao, and Chapala Bangari—allegedly paid middlemen Rs 1500 per head to recruit workers. These agents—Raju, Jagan, and Lokesh—lured victims from cities like Hyderabad and Vijayawada. Upon arrival in Mallepally, victims had their phones seized and were transported by night to isolated locations like Banalakunta and Vizag Colony. Forced to begin fishing work at dawn, they were made to cast nets and haul fish, surviving on just two meals a day. Protests were reportedly met with threats, beatings, and torture. Another trafficker, Ishaq, allegedly ran a similar operation with help from an agent named Venkanna. Police are currently tracking down the absconding middlemen. Pawar warned that strict legal action awaits anyone involved in trafficking, forced labour, or abuse. He encouraged citizens to report cases of child labour or bonded labour to Childline 1098, Women's Helpline 181, or local child care officials.
New Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Rs 818 crore released for VLR payments since Dec 2023
HYDERABAD: Since the Congress formed the government in December 2023, the implementation of the Vaddi Leni Runalu (VLR) scheme — interest subvention on loans taken by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) — has witnessed a resurgence. Data reveals that in FY 2024–25, the government has so far released Rs 818.04 crore towards VLR payments, indicating a renewed policy thrust to clear long-pending dues. For several years, especially after 2019, disbursement under this scheme had slowed down, resulting in massive unpaid dues. However, the year-wise data showed that the programme has gained momentum once again, with the new administration making considerable payments within a short span. Between the financial years 2014–15 and 2023–24, the cumulative demand for VLR payments stood at Rs 6,105.73 crore. Of this, Rs 3,030.43 crore was disbursed, leaving outstanding dues of Rs 3,075.31 crore. The payments were consistent and timely until 2018–19, but from 2019–20 onwards, there was a steep decline in releases. For instance, while Rs 602.74 crore was required in 2019–20, only Rs 386.99 crore was paid. The situation deteriorated further in subsequent years, with minimal or no releases, particularly between 2021–22 and 2023–24, when the demand peaked at Rs 943.9 crore in 2021–22 alone. This prolonged inaction appears to have been reversed after the Congress administration took charge as Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Women & Child Welfare Minister Danasari Anasuya alias Seethakka took women empowerment as a challenge. A look at the VLR district-wise data for the current FY 2024–25 paints a clear picture of renewed efforts of the government. Of the total `818.04 crore released under the VLR scheme, Rs 298.04 crore was paid between December 2023 and March 2024 and Rs 220.65 crore between April 2024 and January 2025. Govt to allocate more funds for women empowerment The government also released Rs 299.35 crore through the Integrated Management System (IMS), suggesting that the payments were not only timely but also systematised. Speaking to TNIE, Seethakka said: 'The state government under the leadership of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is striving to make women billionaires, and we have not confined ourselves to words but actions.' 'Our government intends to allocate more funds for women empowerment in the coming days,' she added.
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
CM Revanth seeks to make Telangana Anganwadis a national model
HYDERABAD Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday (June 30, 2025) directed officials to develop Anganwadi centres in the State into a national model by introducing comprehensive reforms in infrastructure, nutrition, and early education. Addressing a review meeting on the departments of Women Development, Child Welfare, Welfare of the Disabled, Elderly and Transgender communities at his residence, Mr. Reddy called for the use of advanced technology in building new Anganwadi centres and instructed officials to study the feasibility of using container-like structures equipped with solar panels and battery backups. The Chief Minister also proposed leveraging NGOs for supplying nutritious food, including Balamrutham Plus. He asked officials to explore the use of jowar rotis, similar to practices in Karnataka, in consultation with nutritionists and women's groups. A 100-day action plan is to be prepared focusing on the supply of nutritious food, centre management, and monitoring mechanisms. He stressed coordinated efforts between Anganwadi and ASHA workers for the care of pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children. The Chief Minister also proposed mobile Anganwadi centres for children in slum areas and localities with a large migrant worker population, especially within the Outer Ring Road. Further, Revanth Reddy suggested engaging retired and IT sector employees in teaching activities at Anganwadis, and called for increased use of Telangana Foods and Vijaya Dairy products at these centres. The Chief Minister directed officials to facilitate admission of orphaned children into polytechnic colleges and Advanced Training Centres (ATCs), and to include them in overseas skill training programmes. Support for the Elderly parents Referring to the neglect of elderly parents by working individuals, the CM proposed examining a model similar to Assam's, where 10–15% of employees' salaries are credited directly to their parents' accounts. He directed the officials to study similar schemes in other states and submit a report. Mr. Reddy instructed officials to explore providing employment to transgenders in the Traffic Police Department and extend opportunities in departments such as Transport, Endowments, Medical and Health, as well as in IT and private sectors. The Chief Minister asked for the inclusion of specific welfare measures for women, children, disabled, and elderly in the upcoming Telangana Rising-2047 policy document. Ministers D. Anasuya (Seethakka), Adluri Laxman Kumar, and Ponnam Prabhakar were present during the review.
The Hindu
26-06-2025
- The Hindu
Minsiter Mano Thangaraj stresses drug-free living for youth at awareness campaign
Minister of Dairy Development T. Mano Thangaraj emphasised the need to create a drug-free youth community in Kanniyakumari district, while speaking at an event organised in Nagercoil, to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. At the event, the Minister said that various awareness programmes were being carried out across Tamil Nadu to combat drug abuse and highlight its harmful effects. As part of the initiative, government and aided school teachers and headmasters were closely monitoring the students and offering counselling if they notice any unusual behavioural changes among them. In addition, the district administration has also instructed multiple departments including, Revenue, Child Welfare, Corporation, Police, local bodies and others to conduct effective inspections to ensure that banned drugs were not being sold in public places, added Mr. Mano Thangaraj. He further noted that teachers and college professors have been directed to keep an eye on students and immediately inform both the parents and the police if they find any substance or alcohol addiction. For this purpose the police department has introduced a dedicated whatsApp number to facilitate quick reporting. The Minister also received the awareness torch that was carried from 31 different locations across the district as a symbol of the anti-drug campaign. Kanniyakumari Collector R. Alagumeena, Nagercoil Corporation Mayor R. Mahesh, Child Protection Officer Shakeel Banu, and other officials were present at the event.
The Citizen
18-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Local organisation donates warm clothes to child welfare
A local organisation donated warm clothes and soup for children from Tshwane Child Welfare Mamelodi on Friday. Ditlalemeso Foundation made the donations to keep vulnerable children warm this winter. Gloria Mangena from Tshwane Child Welfare Mamelodi said the donations came at the time of need. She said the foundation had been very supportive of their children protection programme by donating warm clothes and soup. 'The donations will go to children who we came across in need of material assistance and some of these children attend our Orphan and Vulnerable Children [programme],' said Mangena. 'It's winter, and we are working hand in hand with grandmothers, unemployed aunts, and uncles taking care of vulnerable children, and we will donate the clothes to them.' Bennit Maponya from the organisation said this was not the first time they donated to the Child Welfare. 'As an organisation, we thought we should take a stand and do something for children who come from disadvantaged families. 'We chose to start with Child Welfare, because their mandate is to protect children, and they are helping a lot of families in Mamelodi,' said Maponya. He said they collected clothes from the community, friends, and families, and hoped the clothes would keep children warm this cold winter. 'We are also here to build a lasting relationship with the centre, whereby we have a soup kitchen once a week.' Maponya said Child Welfare is one of their beneficiaries because they look after vulnerable children in Mamelodi. 'Donating unwanted clothes is also part of giving back to the community,' he said. He added that the foundation's clothing drive aims to dress the less fortunate in winter and beyond. The organisation also pleaded with the public to help donate school uniforms and clothes for all ages. It also keeps chronic patients warm in winter while waiting for the clinic to open by providing them with warm nutritious vegetable soup and bread to fill up their stomachs while standing in long lines and before taking their medication. 'We don't want to see elderly people and chronic patients waking up as early as 03:00 with freezing hands and cold feet in winter season,' said Maponya. 'Our mission is to see Mamelodi have a good, healthy community.' Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
