MCB had received the money from the department of women and child development, as part of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme’s Innovative Project.
The Missing Children’s Bureau had received Rs10 lakh from the department of women and child development, as part of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme’s Innovative Project.
The developments come in the wake of a report carried by DNA in September, which said that although Bangalore Oniyavara Seva Coota (Bosco) had been made the nodal agency to handle cases of missing children in the state, the government had not offered financial support to Bosco or the Missing Children’s Bureau (MCB).
According to the proposal made by MCB in 2007 when the Juvenile Justice Act was introduced to set up a MCB in a single district, the requirement was about Rs6,41,000.
Bosco had, with its own resources, set up bureaus in 14 districts in the state but could not set up bureaus in the remaining districts because of lack of funds.
Compared with the required amount to continue setting up MCBs in the remaining districts, the sum given by the department may seem meagre. Nevertheless, the nodal agency sees the amount as a welcome decision.
“We have set up bureaus in 14 districts after which we ran out of money. While we may not be able to set up MCBs in the remaining districts with the amount provided, we will now be able to revamp activities in 14 districts and organise necessary activities that have been put on hold due to financial constraints,” said Fr Jose P, director, MCB.
According to Fr Jose P, “One of our biggest priorities is to conduct a survey on missing children, which will help us understand what needs to be done to not only address the issue but also improve our work.”
“Another priority is to create awareness among the ground staff such as anganwadi workers to report missing children and to persuade parents to do this, by organising workshops, seminars and so on,” he added.
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