Latest news with #DCPU
Hans India
7 days ago
- Hans India
6 childcare institutions got approval for operation in Kurnool dist
Kurnool: District Collector P Ranjith Basha has issued approvals for the operation of six childcare institutions (CCIs) found eligible under Juvenile Justice Act. The decision was made during a meeting of district-level recommendation committee held at the Collector's camp office on Wednesday. Speaking at the meeting, Collector Ranjith stated that as per the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, registration certificates would be issued to eligible childcare institutions only after thorough inspections and recommendations by the district committee. A total of nine institutions—run by both government and NGOs—submitted applications for registration. Upon verification of infrastructure and adherence to prescribed standards, six institutions were found eligible and recommended for operation. The Collector also inquired about the functioning of Juvenile Observation Homes and Shishu Gruhas (children's homes) from the ICDS Project Director. He emphasised that CCIs should be managed in a structured and child-friendly manner to ensure the well-being and safety of all children under their care. The meeting was attended by Additional SP Hussain Peer, District Probation Officer Diwakar, ICDS PD Nirmala, Child Welfare Committee chairperson Zubeda Begum, DCPU Officer Sharada, Juvenile Justice Board member Sunitha, Observation Home Superintendent Basha, and other key officials of child welfare and juvenile justice administration.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- New Indian Express
Four Andhra Pradesh children rescued from bonded labour in Tamil Nadu, two held
TIRUVARUR: The Mannargudi taluk on Tuesday arrested a mother and son, who belong to Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, on the charge of employing four children as bonded labourers to herd ducks at a village near Mannargudi in Tiruvarur district. Two boys, aged 10 and 15, and two girls, aged 12 and 13 years, who were rescued, are also from Godavari district. They belong to three families, sources said. According to police, V Padma (45) and her son V Lawrence (24) had allegedly paid Rs 1 lakh for each child as advance to their families and brought them to Tamil Nadu to rear ducks in the fields six months ago. The children were not paid any salary for the work and were only provided food and a place to stay. The mom-son duo has been taking them from one place to another across the district to rear the flock of 200 to 300 ducks. According to sources, ChildLine number 1098 received a call on Tuesday about four children being employed for duck rearing at a field at Embethi village near Mannargudi. Following this, revenue, police and district child protection officials visited the area and conducted inquiries. The parents of one of the rescued child are also employed in duck rearing at another village in the district. DCPU officials have informed them about the rescue operation, but they are yet to reach Tiruvarur, sources said. The rescued children were taken to Mannargudi and produced before Revenue Divisional Officer R Yogeswaran. Based on his orders, the children have been accommodated in two government homes in Tiruvarur. They will be produced before the child welfare committee (CWC) and the process of issuing order to release them from bondage will commence soon, officials said. Based on a complaint by the Village Administrative Officer of Embethi, Police registered a case under sections of Juvenile Justice Act, Bonded labour System (Abolition) Act and arrested Padma and Godavari. Further investigations are on.
The Hindu
23-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Monthly sponsorship scheme benefits over 150 children in Ernakulam
Over 150 poor children in Ernakulam district are now supported through a monthly sponsorship scheme to help them remain with their families and away from child-care institutes. Under the Centrally sponsored scheme, shared by the Central and State governments in 60:40 ratio, each child, aged below 18 years, is given ₹4,000 a month to meet their various expenses, including for education. When the programme was rolled out, the number of beneficiaries was a mere 15, and the monthly assistance routed through the Women and Child Development department was ₹2,000. 'The programme is mostly preventive in nature as the idea is to keep children with their families and away from child-care institutes. Children of a single parent, from below poverty line families, not receiving any other benefits and are in need of care and protection are covered by the scheme,' said sources in the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU). Children recommended by the school authorities, school counsellors, and the Child Welfare Committee are considered for the scheme. Based on that, DCPU officials visit the houses of the children to verify whether they are eligible for the scheme. The sponsorship amount is often allocated in lump sum lots as and when the allotment is made available. There are 49 child-care institutes registered under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act in Ernakulam housing, at present, around 400 residents, which is about half the total capacity of those institutes. Previously, the number of residents was on the higher side. 'But the number has dropped significantly ever since these institutes were strictly restricted to children in need of care and protection under the Juvenile Justice Act,' said DCPU sources. The sponsorship scheme is among the many programmes being run by the DCPU. For instance, 12 children, eight girls and four boys aged 15 and below from child-care institutes were sent out on vacation foster care (VFC) to as many families during the just-concluded summer vacation. Children who are either orphans or cannot return to their families during the two-month-long vacation are made available for the programme, subject to their consent. The idea is to give them the opportunity of experiencing the joys of being part of a family.
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Concern over ‘non-translation' of teenage pregnancies into POCSO Act cases
Based on Right To Information (RTI) data, an activist has expressed concern over the alleged non-translation of teenage pregnancies into Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act cases in Madurai district. As per the RTI obtained by A. Veronica Mary, a health activist based in Madurai, in the 87 Primary Health Centres (PHC), 55 in rural and 32 in urban, located in the district, a total of 1,127 deliveries were performed in teenagers, aged under 18, between 2023 and 2024. While 429 deliveries were registered in 2023, 698 deliveries were performed in 2024, according to the data. Of all the PHCs in the district, Saptur PHC with 31 deliveries stood first, and T. Pudhupatti PHC with 30 deliveries, Virathanur PHC with 29 deliveries, Kancharampettai PHC and Thaniyamangalam PHC with 26 deliveries and Thumbaipatti PHC 25, followed in the list. Ms. Mary, pointing out the appalling number of teenage pregnancies recorded in the PHCs, questioned whether all of the pregnancies had been translated into POCSO. As per the system, the doctor or the hospital or the institution, whoever is first learning about the pregnancy of a minor girl, either through Child Line number 1098 or through available means, should inform the district administration, she added. Following the registration of the complaint, the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) or the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) should inform the police in addition to providing counselling or support to the victim, Ms. Mary stated. While there was a system or mechanism to bring the issue of teenage pregnancy to the notice of the police to follow up on the matter, the difference in POCSO cases in comparison with the RTI data showed that there existed a gap in the process, she alleged. Instead of reacting to such minor pregnancies, Social Welfare Department officials along with the Police Department should carry out awareness campaigns in schools and villages, she suggested. A social welfare department official who did not want to be named said that any information they receive regarding minor marriage or pregnancy, would be informed to the police. 'Even doctors are directed to inform the DCPU or social welfare department about the teenage pregnancies they come across. So, we have a tab on all such incidents in the district,' the official added.
The Print
12-06-2025
- The Print
Nagaland observes World Day against Child Labour with call to protect children's rights
Joint Labour Commissioner T Chubayanger cited growing reports of families — particularly in urban centres like Kohima — employing children under the pretext of 'mission work' or as domestic help, often subjecting them to neglect or abuse. The event, marked by awareness drives for leaders of colonies and wards, emphasised that despite progress, child labour persists in various forms across the state. Kohima, Jun 12 (PTI) Nagaland observed 'World Day Against Child Labour' on Thursday, with a call for all stakeholders — including government agencies, civil society, and the public — to intensify efforts in eliminating child labour and safeguarding children's rights. He reiterated that employing children below 14 years is illegal, carrying penalties of up to six months imprisonment and Rs 20,000 fine or both. Adolescents aged between 14 and 18 may be employed only under non-hazardous conditions, with limited working hours, he said, adding that violations can result in fines and imprisonment. 'If both husband and wife are working, they should employ an adult to look after their children instead of violating the rights of another child,' he said. Chubayanger said the Labour department, in coordination with other agencies, has initiated raid of establishments which include shops, commercial establishments, workshops, farms, restaurants, etc. The joint labour commissioner also announced that surprise inspections of homes where children are engaged as domestic helpers and schools targeting cases of children being consecutively absent for more than 15 days under the Right to Education Act would be launched soon. Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, B Henok Buchem, reaffirmed the district's commitment to penalise those employing children illegally. 'As a people known for our warrior heritage and Christian values, it is unacceptable that crimes against children are being normalised in our society,' he said. He called for collective responsibility and moral vigilance, urging society not to judge children based on their socio-economic background. Kohima District Child Protection Officer Sekho Dawhuo highlighted the role of the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) under the Mission Vatsalya programme. The DCPU is responsible for protecting vulnerable children — including those in need of care, children in conflict with the law, and children eligible for adoption, he said. The officer stressed the importance of community participation in identifying child labour and abuse, urging citizens to immediately report such cases to local police or dial the Child Helpline 1098, a 24×7 emergency outreach service. Dawhuo emphasised the role of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), a legal body constituted under the Juvenile Justice Act, empowered to ensure the rehabilitation and care of rescued children. He reminded the media to protect the identity of children involved in abuse or labour cases, as per Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection) Act 2015. 'Violating this section by revealing any identifying details can result in imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to Rs 2 lakh,' he said. PTI NBS NBS RG This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
