Grant for raising and protecting poor, destitute, orphan and rag picker children has been increased. Woman and Child Development Minister Maya Singh informed that the recent decision will benefit 7,000 children.
This number of children is temporary. More needy children will also be provided benefit of this scheme from time to time.
The Women and Child Development Minister informed that Government of India has revised fiscal norms under Integrated Child Protection Scheme. The state government has also increased state share in the scheme. The cabinet decision in this regard will entail additional burden of Rs66.54 crore by way of the state share under the scheme
during 3 years from 2014-15 to 2016-17.
The grant for providing food, lodging, clothes, education, training and health has been increased from 750 per month per child to Rs2000 per month. The amount spent on children’s bed has been increased from Rs500 to Rs800 per annum per head.
Similarly, the amount given under foster care scheme has been increased from Rs750 to Rs 2000 for the parentless children being brought up by relatives. Under sponsorship scheme, this amount has been increased from Rs1000 to Rs2000 per month if a child not having family or any relative is raised by any member of society. Revision of fiscal norms will also benefit 667 contractual workers.
Under the scheme, 7 shelter homes are being run including infant, child homes, Juvenile Homes and Open Shelter Homes etc. Besides, foster-care and sponsorship schemes are also under implementation.
All these institutions are benefiting about 70,00
children.