Lok Sabha Question No. 1585 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Integrated Schemes for Children
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1585

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2023

## INTEGRATED SCHEMES FOR CHILDREN

†1585. SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the salient features of the integrated scheme for destitute children;
- (b) whether the Government has issued any guidelines to State Governments,  local bodies, educational institutions and self-help organizations to implement the said scheme;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the criteria adopted by the Government for monitoring of the functions/achievements of self-help organizations under the said scheme; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government to ensure effective implementation of the said scheme?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c) : The Ministry is implementing a centrally sponsored scheme namely 'Mission Vatsalya' through the State and UT Governments on pre-defined cost sharing pattern for  delivering  services  for  Children  in  Need  of  Care  and  Protection  (CNCP)  and Children in Conflict with Law (CCL). The Child Care Institutions (CCIs) established under the scheme support inter-alia age-appropriate education, access to vocational training, recreation, health care and counselling. The guidelines for implementation of Mission Vatsalya Scheme were issued on 05.07.2022 to all States/UTs.

Further, the salient features of the Mission Vatsalya scheme are (a) to promote familybased  non-institutional  care  of  children  in  difficult  circumstances  based  on  the principle  of  institutionalization  of  children  as  a  measure  of  last  resort,  (b)  to  lay emphasis on child rights, advocacy and awareness along with strengthening of the juvenile justice care and protection system with the motto to 'leave no child behind' and (c) to raise public awareness, educate public about child rights at all levels for ensuring the best interest of children.

The scheme envisages a robust ecosystem through the network of state and local governments to ensure the safety and security of children in the country. The scheme provides  for  the  child  welfare  and  protection  through  the  existing  Standing/SubCommittee  system  of the Urban  Local  Body/Panchayati Raj Institution/Gram Panchayat  which  deals  with  the  issues  of  social  justice/welfare  of  women  and children.

Under the Scheme, funds are released to the States/UTs including for awareness generation,  Information  Education  &  Communication  (IEC),  training  and  capacity building  of  stakeholders.  The  scheme  also  provides  Training  Fund  for  organizing programs  at  block,  district  &  state  level  for  different  categories  of  functionaries, Research  and Documentation,  Awareness  generation  through  IEC  and  media campaign including printing and dissemination of IEC materials.

(d) & (e):   The Ministry implements the Mission Vatsalya Scheme through the State and UT Governments and regularly follows up with them so as to ensure that CCIs adhere to the standards of care as per the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2021) provisions. Various advisories have been sent to all State/UT Governments regarding mandatory inspection of all CCIs. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has organised National and zonal level workshops on Mission Vatsalya Scheme, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection for  Children)  Act,  2015  (as  amended  in  2021);  Protection  of  Children from Sexual Offences  Act,  2012  (as  amended  in  2019)  and  Rules  thereunder,  Adoption Regulations,  2022  for  multi stakeholders  in different States/UTs  for  effective implementation of the Scheme including child rights.  Further, as per section 106 of JJ Act, 2015, the primary responsibility and execution of the JJ Act, 2015 lies with the States/UTs.

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