Question : WELFARE OF DESTITUTE CHILDREN

(a) whether the Government are implementing any scheme for the welfare of destitute children of Gujarat state;

(b) if so, details thereof; and

(c) the assistance being given by the State Government for implementation of the said scheme?

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


(a)& (b):While there is no separate scheme specifically for the welfare of the destitute children of Gujarat State, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is implementing four (4) schemes namely,
(i) A Programme for Juvenile Justice
(ii) An Integrated Programme for Street Children
(iii) General Grant-in-aid for Assistance in the field of Social Defence and
(iv) Sishu Grih Scheme under which grants are being released to State Governments/Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for the welfare of destitute children including those in Gujarat State. In addition a total grant of Rs.167.44 lakhs was also released during 2000-2001 to Child Relief and You (CRY), Childline India Foundation, Action Aid India and Indian Council for Child Welfare for setting up of centres for relief of the destitute children and women affected by the earthquake in Gujarat.

(c) Under this Ministry`s scheme `A Programme for Juvenile Justice` ,the expenditure on running of Homes under the Juvenile Justice Act is shared by the Central Government and State Governments on a 50:50 basis. During the year 2000-01, this Ministry released Rs.35.98 lakhs to the Government of Gujarat as 50% Central share while the balance was met by the State Government.