The Government has enacted the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 in December 2007 which defines “senior Citizen” as any person being a citizen of India, who has attained the age of sixty years or above. The Act, inter-alia, makes maintenance of parents/ senior citizens by children/ relatives obligatory and enforceable through tribunals. It also provides for establishment of old age homes for indigent senior citizens. The Act comes into force in a State on such date as the State Government may appoint. As per information available, 23 States and all Union Territories have brought the Act into force.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri D. Napoleon in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

SKS

Sources:-  http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=78898

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had received complaints on several cases of violation of child rights, including the Right to Education (RTE). In its mechanism of redressal of grievances, the Commission organized a public hearing on child labour and other issues of child rights at Varanasi on December 17, 2011 which was the first-of-its-kind in Uttar Pradesh.

Thirty six cases from five districts, including Varanasi, Bhadohi, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra and Maharajganj, selected through Shambhunath Singh Research Foundation (SRF) , an NGO working in close coordination with NCPCR in the area were heard by a panel of jury of NCPCR . Some of the issues that came up during the public hearing were those of child labour, child trafficking, malnutrition, denial of birth registration and immunization, absence of ICDS centers and improper functioning of the Anganwadis.

For each of the cases, the jury ordered swift and targeted action, set a timeline for the authority in question to follow and also asked the authority to send in a report of its progress to the Commission. The Commission would constantly monitor the progress and action taken in each of these cases.

“Free and compulsory education and total abolition of child labour are central to human development and fundamental for enhanced citizenship. There has to be a zero tolerance of children being out of school and child labour laws and policies have to be in sync with the Right to Education Act 2009,” said Dr. Shantha Sinha, Chairperson, NCPCR.

The Commission conducts public hearings across the country as a tool for monitoring and implementation of child rights. It has already conducted public hearing in eight states so far. Every month, a new state is added in its calendar of public hearings.

KKP/bs

Source: –  http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=78892

Under the Schematic norms of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, Government of India is responsible for the Programme Planning and State/UT Governments are responsible for the implementation of the Programme. States usually adhere to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Women of Child Development in Government of India. Some of the issues in which guidelines have not been adhered fully relates to: operationalization of Anganwadi centres & population norms; vacancies at different levels; issues relating to manner of delivery and non-adherence to cost norms, nutritional norms and not achieving 300 days in providing Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) etc. Besides, many states are not utilizing norm based funds for components such as Pre School Education kits, Medicine kits, flexi fund and other components of programme fully and their progress has been uneven. The Minister of Women & Child Development Smt. Krishna Tirath revealed this in Lok Sabha today in written reply to a question.

The Minister further stated that the additionally, there is a facility for providing foodgrains (Wheat/Rice/Coarse grains) under Wheat Based Nutrition Programme (WBNP) to the States/UTs. Under this, foodgrains are allocated to States/UTs at BPL rates for use in various menus of Supplementary Nutrition under the ICDS Scheme and to cushion the inflation/market price in foodgrains. As per available information, during the current year, 27 States/UTs are availing of foodgrains under the WBNP. The States/UTs which are not availing foodgrains under the Programme are Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh Administration, Lakshadweep, UT Administration of Daman & Diu and Puduchery.

The Minister also stated that Implementation of ICDS Scheme is monitored through prescribed monthly & annual progress reports, reviews, as well as, supervision visits etc. Food samples are also collected by the field unit of Food & Nutrition Board (FNB) for quality assessment. Based on the inputs and feedback received, State Governments/ UT Administrations are addressed through letters and review meetings to address the deficiencies and work towards better implementation of the Scheme. Further, in order to improve the implementation of ICDS Scheme, Government has recently set up a 5-tier monitoring & review mechanism at National, State, District, Block and Anganwadi Levels and has issued the guidelines on 31.03.2011.

Source; - http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=78341

The Government proposes to enact a special law for protection of children from sexual offences, the Minister of Women & Child Development Smt. Krishna Tirath said this in Lok Sabha today in written reply to a question. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Bill, 2011 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 23rd March, 2011.

The Minister further stated that for the first time, a special law has been proposed to address the issue of sexual offences against children. The Bill defines offences, namely, penetrative sexual assault, aggravated penetrative sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, sexual harassment and use of child for pornography. For speedy trial, the State Governments have been mandated to designate a Court of Session in each district, to be a Special Court to try offences under the Bill. It is expected that enactment of this Bill will contribute to the safety and security of children and the stringent punishment proposed under the Bill will act as a deterrent for offenders.

Source: - http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=78342

The National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH), an autonomous organisation of the Government under the Ministry of Home Affairs, provides financial assistance to the concerned Collectors/Deputy Commissioners/District Magistrate for care, education and training for the children of families below poverty line rendered orphan or destitute due to communal, caste, ethnic or terrorist violence as per criterion laid down by Planning Commission. The Minister of Women & Child Development Smt. Krishna Tirath revealed this in Lok Sabha today in written reply to a question.

Further, the Government, in the Ministry of Women and Child Development, is providing financial assistance since 2009-10, under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), to State Governments/UT Administrations for setting up and maintenance of Homes and Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs) set up under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 either by themselves or through voluntary organisations, for rehabilitation and re-integration of children in need of care and protection, she said.

The Minister further stated that the Ministry of Rural Development, is implementing Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) for BPL widows of age group of 40-59 years and Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension Scheme (IGOAPS) for BPL persons of 60 years and above.

The Minister also stated that the Ministry of Women and Child Development, is also implementing Swadhar Greh Scheme for rehabilitation of women in difficult circumstances.The targeted beneficiaries of the above Schemes also includes women and children left behind due to killing of their husbands/ fathers in terrorist or naxalite attacks. It is not feasible to anticipate the number of such women or children who would require support in future under these Schemes.

Source:- http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=78343