Scheme to safeguard child rights in Maoist-affected states

NEW DELHI - In an effort to protect the rights of children in areas of civil unrest — including those affected by Maoists, the central government has approved a special scheme which will be implemented in five states on a pilot project basis, parliament was informed Monday.

The scheme, called the Bal Bandhu scheme, will be implemented in ten districts in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhatisgarh and Maharashtra.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath said: “The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has received complaints of rights of children being abused by way of being orphaned when their parents are killed by Maoists, lack of education, nutrition, health and other entitlements”.

While the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), which was introduced last year, provides services such as family based non-institutional care, open shelters and emergency out reach service for children in areas of armed conflict, the Bal Bandhu scheme will address the issue in addition to that.

“The Bal Bandhu scheme aims to protect the rights of children in areas of civil unrest,” Tirath said.

The scheme will be implemented by the NCPCR.