SCPCR takes up 72 child rights cases this year

VISAKHAPATNAM: The AP State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) has taken up 72 suo moto child rights violation cases in the state so far this year, including 10 from Vizag. Last year the number of suo moto cases was 58.
Most of the cases taken up by the commission had to do with child abuse, child labour, missing children, corporal punishment in schools and entitlements.The recent deaths of the 20-month-old boy due to dog bites, six-year-old Aditi’s tragic death after she fell into a drain and the electrocution of a eight-year-old boy by a live wire jutting out from a streetlight near Beach Road too have been taken up by the commission as they amount to the violation of a child’s right to life and safety.
In this regard, child rights activists emphasise the need to set up active district and village level committees to monitor children’s issues under leadership of the district collector.
Member of APSCPCR from Visakhapatnam and secretary of NGO Power, Abdul Raqueeb, said, “The central government provides lakhs of rupees as funding under Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS). Around 18 departments are associated directly or indirectly and working together on 21 schemes for integrated development of the child and implementation of ICPS. However, serious lapses regarding child rights and safety are taking place. Recent incidents involving the deaths of children in Vizag point to failure on part of the civic administration to ensure protection to the children.”
The 18 line departments that need to collaborate and cooperate include education, health, police, labour, Integrated Child Development Agency, women and child welfare, minority, BC and tribal welfare as well as panchayat raj among others. The panchayat raj department is supposed to track children by maintaining birth registration.
The child welfare schemes include child-friendly schemes from the womb to 18 years of age. “Some of these include implementation of PCPNDT Act (Pre Conception Pre Natal Diagnostic Technique) Act, immunization of children and newborn care (up to 2 years), nutrition, pre-school and entitlement to elementary and high schools, protection against sexual abuse, trafficking, child marriage and child labour,” averred APSCPCR member S Bala Raju.
“To ensure child rights, the district level working committee should be started for monitoring children’s issues under the leadership of district collector. Village child rights committees need to be strengthened. The statutory body should be provided with adequate staff and infrastructure. Childline or 1098 services should also be extended to tribal and rural areas. Every school should appoint one counselor to counsel the children when they are stressed out. Quarterly district level convergence meetings should be organised with the 18 line departments,” added Bala Raju.
Most of the cases taken up by the commission had to do with child abuse, child labour, missing children, corporal punishment in schools and entitlements