Question : PROJECT FOR STREET CHILDREN

(a) whether a number of projects have been launched by the Government for the welfare and rehabilitation of street children;

(b) if so, the main features thereof;

(c) the total number of street children at present in the country;

(d) whether all the street children in the various States will be covered under theses schemes;

(e) whether number of complaints have been received by the Ministry regarding implementation of schemes;

(f) if so, the Ministry has decided to initiate training for the allied system and integrated child protection issues into the curriculum, besides liaising for better access to service;
(g) whether the Government have also constituted a national core group which was eliciting the support of State Government; and
(h) if so, the success achieved in this regard so far?

MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SMT. MANEKA GANDHI)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) The Ministry is supporting projects being run by NGOs for the benefit of street children under its scheme, `An Integrated Programme for Street Children`. The objective of running these projects is to prevent destitution of children and facilitate their withrawal from life on the streets and to try to reintegrate them with their families. The projects attempt to provide a range of services for the benefit of these children which may include establishment of 24 hours drop-in shelters with facilities for night stay, bathing, recreation, first aid etc. Some of the projects run non-formal education programmes and impart vocational training, facilitate enrolment in regular schools, provide meals and preventive health services, counseling and guidance etc, which are considered necessary for the full and wholesome development of such children.

(c) No such survey has been conducted by the Government.

(d) The projects are implemented by Non Governmental Organizations in various States. The Ministry on receipt of proposals examines and approves them keeping in mind area specific problems and availability of funds in the budget. Care is taken to ensure that there is wide geographical representation in the projects approved by the Ministry. At present the Ministry is supporting 102 projects is 18 States/UTs for benefiting approximately 1,34,551 children. Some NGOs are also running projects for the benefit of street children utilizing their own resources.

(e)&(f) Complaints received from time to time are enquired into and action taken accordingly. The National Institute of Social Defence undertakes periodical training programmes for improving coordination amongst different organizations and departments with an aim to improving service delivery and awareness of such projects.

(g) No, Sir.

(h) Does not arise.