New Delhi: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday suggested providing autorickshaws to girls and e-rickshaws to boys leaving child-care institutions to help them start a livelihood, while directing the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) to connect such children with education, skills and employment opportunities.
Chairing a meeting of the DCPCR, Gupta said merely providing shelter to children after they leave care institutions is not enough and stressed the need to help them become self-reliant and lead a dignified life.
She directed the commission to prepare detailed information on the future and rehabilitation of children living in child care institutions (CCIs) and submit a list of children staying in after-care facilities to her office.
The list should include details, such as a child's name, age, institution, duration of stay, education, qualifications and skills acquired, she said.
The chief minister also suggested that the transport department could explore providing autorickshaws to interested girls and e-rickshaws to boys from these institutions, enabling them to take up a livelihood after leaving these facilities.
She also stressed the need to connect such children with education, skill development and employment opportunities, so that they can become financially independent.
The meeting also discussed strengthening facilities at anganwadi and Palna centres. Gupta suggested that reports be prepared through interns to review the facilities at these centres and assess the behaviour of anganwadi workers towards children.
She also directed the commission to inspect the arrangements for the mid-day meals prepared by cooks in schools and the nutritional food provided to children at anganwadi centres during the National Nutrition Month. Any shortcomings found should be reported immediately, she said.
On child safety, Gupta directed the DCPCR to ensure mandatory police verification of school staff, school bus and van drivers, attendants and sanitation workers.
She also called for awareness campaigns on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act to be made a continuous activity.
Gupta also directed the commission to strengthen the campaign to make Delhi free of child begging. She said NGOs, civil-society organisations and resident-welfare associations willing to participate should be brought on board to expand the campaign at the local level.
The chief minister said the government's priority is to bring children out of begging and connect them with education, skills and a dignified life.
The meeting was attended by DCPCR Chairman O P Vyas, members of the commission and senior officials.
Gupta also suggested promoting career-guidance facilities for students in government and municipal schools.
