Ensure quality facilities in child care institutions: DC

A quarterly meeting of the District Child Welfare and Protection Committee and Foster Care Approval Committee under the Mukhya Mantri Sukh Ashray Scheme and Mission Vatsalya was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Chamba, Mukesh Repaswal, on Monday.

The meeting focused on implementing the Chief Minister’s Sukh Ashray Yojana and Mission Vatsalya initiatives. Repaswal directed Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and Block Development Officers (BDOs) to inspect child care institutions in their areas and evaluate the facilities provided. He also instructed the department to prepare a proposal for a new child care institution in the Bhatiyat block and asked SDM Bhatiyat to identify land for a model village under the Sukh Ashray Yojana.

Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) were tasked with identifying orphans, abandoned children, transgender individuals, and single women through anganwadi workers and village panchayats, with a report to be submitted within 15 days.

The committee approved nine new beneficiaries under the Chief Minister’s Sukh Ashray Yojana and sanctioned benefits for 21 children identified by the District Child Protection Unit under the Sponsorship Scheme.

Repaswal emphasised the importance of raising awareness about these initiatives and instructed child care institution heads to involve SDMs and officials in festivals celebrated at their facilities.

The meeting was attended by Additional District Magistrate Amit Mehra, SDM Chamba Priyanshu Khati and Additional Superintendent of Police Shivani Mahla, among others.