Poll gambit? Till 18 yrs, children to be state's responsibility

To earn a brownie point in the election, the state government is working on a child development policy 2013 which will give social security to children from the womb to 18 years.

The move aims to support children affected by poverty, disasters, drought and diseases like cancer, Aids and sickle cell anaemia. The formation of a “children relief fund” has been proposed so that financial aid could be sanctioned immediately for the treatment.

The policy also proposes to “regulate” reality shows and circuses where children are working. It is unclear though how this fast emerging sector would be regulated. The proposed policy reads: “A child is the state’s responsibility…
childhood provides a base to future life. Every child has the right to be loved and cared for.”

According to 2011 census, Maharashtra’s population is nearly 11.2 crores, of which, 4.05 crore (30%) are below 19 years of age.

The draft was discussed in Mumbai on Friday by a 15-member core committee, headed by Varsha Gaikwad, minister of women and child development.

Dna has access to the draft policy. Gaikwad couldn’t be contacted but a highly placed official in the department confirmed the development. “The final draft will go to the cabinet next month. The policy may be launched early next year after evaluating financial and legal constraints,” said the official.

For targeted approach and better coordination, the department wants to divide children into six groups according to their age — conception to child birth, 0-3 years, 3-6, 6-10, 10-15 and 15-18.

A member of the committee told dna,“The policy will also allow citizens to report all  kinds of child abuse and trafficking in the family or neighbourhood without disclosing their identity. A children’s helpline will be launched to streamline the process. The state will not tolerate any kind of torture or discrimination, injustice to children.”

The move aims to rescue children being abused in homes or organisations as several cases of physical, mental and sexual torture of the kids by relatives have been exposed recently.

“Not a single child will be left without social security,” says the policy draft.

It also promises to work towards the best structured physical and mental development of children by encouraging good family values. It aims to provide aid to the poor and needy people for social well-being of children.