Child Development and Child Rights

The Prime Minister’s National Council

On Nutrition, in its meeting on 24 November 2010 took a number of decisions to tackle the multi-faceted problem of malnutrition in the country. As a follow up, a proposal to strengthen and restructure the ICDS Scheme is being formulated. The framework to adopt multi-sectoral approach and action to address maternal and child malnutrition in selected 200 high burdened districts has been prepared.

Universalization of ICDS

As part of ongoing universalization, 186 new Projects and 42,033 new Anaganwadi Centres have been operationalized. With this, a cumulative of 6908 Projects and 13.04 lakh Anganwadi Centres have become operational. There is an increase of 13.02 lakh beneficiaries over 2010-11 taking the total to 972.49 lakh beneficiaries during 2011-12. ICDS expenditure has increased to ` 14272 crore in 2011-12 over ` 9763 crore in 2010-11. Honorarium of Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers and workers of Mini Anganwadi Centres was enhanced by ` 1500/- and ` 750/- per month.

Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls -`Sabla’

The `Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls – `Sabla’, introduced in 2010-11, is a centrally sponsored scheme being implemented in 200 selected districts across the country on a pilot basis.
Sabla aims at empowering adolescent girls of 11 to 18 years of age by improving their nutritional and health status and upgrading various skills like home skills, life skills and vocational skills. During 2011-12, ` 594 crore was released to States/ UTs benefiting 84.82 lakh adolescent girls under the nutrition component of Sabla.

Innovation Council for improving Child Sex Ratio

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has set up a Sectoral Innovation Council with wide ranging representation, on Child Sex Ratio (CSR), with a view to identifying interventions and innovative strategies, approaches and methods to address the decline in CSR in a time bound and effective manner.

Integrated Child Protection Scheme

The Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), a comprehensive Centrally Sponsored Scheme, is being implemented since 2009-10 for providing care and protection to children. The ICPS has helped build a perspective and an environment for discussion, on child protection, both in the Governments as well as voluntary organizations. 548 Child Welfare Committees and 561 Juvenile Justice Boards have now been established. In 2011-12, 196 Specialised Adoption Agencies have been provided assistance. Childline (1098), which is a 24-hour toll free emergency outreach telephone service for children in distress, has been extended to 78 new locations taking the total to 204 cities and towns.

Go Back To Main Page