Koppal
Family love, education and proper protection are essential for the healthy growth and development of children, said N. Maheshbabu, Director of the Directorate of Child Protection, Bengaluru.
Maheshbabu made the remarks during his visit to the Government Boys’ Children’s Home in Koppal on September 19. He inspected the facilities and advised officials on implementing the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, as amended in 2021.
He said the primary responsibility for raising, protecting and supporting a child rests with the biological or adoptive family. Institutional care should be considered only as a last resort for children who genuinely require care and protection. Children should not remain in care institutions for unnecessarily long periods, he said.
Maheshbabu directed officials to coordinate with different departments to help eligible children join residential schools or return to their families through sponsorship and other support schemes. Officials should also regularly monitor whether children who leave care institutions continue their education and remain connected with the mainstream education system.
He said abandoned and surrendered children, as well as children certified by the Child Welfare Committee as being unable to receive parental care, should be provided permanent families through the legal adoption process. Under the Mission Vatsalya scheme, every child should have access to protection and education.
Maheshbabu also instructed officials to conduct regular surprise inspections and joint raids with concerned departments to identify children living in vulnerable conditions, including those on the streets, begging or engaged in child labour. Such children should be rescued and produced before the Child Welfare Committee for appropriate rehabilitation and protection measures. Deputy Director of the Women and Child Development Department Amaresha, District Nodal Officer Nataraja, Women and Child Development Officer Annapurna Hubakatti, District Child Protection Officer Sindhu Angadi and Child Development Project Officers were present. Rohini Kotagara, Government Boys’ Home Superintendent Krishnasa Bakale, Development Inspector Poornima Yelbavi, District Differently-Abled Welfare Officer Venkatesh Deshpande and staff of the District Child Protection Unit and Boys’ Home also attended.