Mission Vatsalya Scheme, with the cooperation of the Government of India, is being implemented by the State Government since 24.11.2010 under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act to ensure the care, protection, welfare, and rehabilitation of children in need of care and protection and those involved in unlawful activities through the Child Protection Services (CPS) scheme (Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS)).Subsequently, the CPS scheme has been implemented since 2017. Thereafter, the Mission Vatsalya scheme has been implemented in Uttar Pradesh from 17th July, 2023.
The various components under the Mission Vatsalya scheme are as follows:
State Child Protection Society (SCPS) andDistrict Child Protection Society (DCPS)- The Child Protection Services (CPS)Scheme is being smoothly implemented by theState Government by establishing State and District Child Protection Unitsat the state and district levels respectively.
State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA)- SARA supervises the promotion and implementation of domestic and international adoptions in accordance with the provisions of the Child Protection Services (CPS) scheme. Under this component, personnel are employed at the headquarters level in the positions of Program Manager, Program Officer and Program Assistant.
Operation of Government institutions under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 - A total of 57 government institutions are operated in accordance with the provisions of the Act, such as (Children's Home for Boys-8, Children's Home for Girls-7, Children's Home for Infants-7, Government Observation Home (Juvenile Boys)-25, Government Observation Home (Juvenile Girls)-2, Place of Safety-01, Government Special Home for Juvenile (Girls/Boys) -2, Government Post-Care Organization (Women)-04, and Government Post-Care Organization (Men)-01.
Specialized Adoption Resource Agencies (SARA) - The State Government operates five State Specialized Adoption Resource Agencies in districts Rampur, Mathura, Agra, Prayagraj and Lucknow for the care, support, and rehabilitation of orphaned, abandoned, or surrendered children for adoption.
Specialized units for children with special needs - These units have been established in 15 government homes, each with a capacity of 10 children, to cater to the special needs and provide special services to mentally and physically challenged, mentally ill, disabled, and HIV-infected inmates. In line with the scheme's intent, voluntary organizations are involved in providing specialized services to children in specialized categories. The voluntary organization Drishti Social Institute in Lucknow operates a specialized home with a capacity of 260 (100 boys, 100 girls, 60 infants). Additionally, a home with a capacity of 200 (boys, girls, infants) is operated by the voluntary organization Nirvan Lucknow on a PPP model in Lucknow.
Under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, various types of registered 59 children's homes (boys/girls/infants) are operated through voluntary organizations.
Child Welfare Committees and Juvenile Justice Boards have been established in all districts of the state to provide appropriate services and necessary guidelines for the care, protection, and rehabilitation of children in need of care and protection and those involved in unlawful activities, as per the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.
Non-Institutional Care(Sponsorship, Foster Care, and Aftercare)-
Sponsorship scheme: According to Section 2(58) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, sponsorship is defined as the provision of financial or supplementary support to families to meet the medical, educational, and developmental needs of children. Sponsorship will provide economic support to biological or extended families for the adequate care of the child. This will be a conditional assistance ensuring that children have the opportunity to live and develop in their social and cultural environment without being displaced from their families. Under the scheme, eligible children are provided with an amount of ₹4000/- per month. The duration of sponsorship will be a minimum of one year and can be extended up to the age of 18 years in compliance with the prescribed standards.
Foster Care Program: As per Section 44 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (amended 2021) and its rules, foster care is an arrangement where a child is placed in alternative care in a family-like home environment with an unrelated family member for the purpose of care and protection. Foster care can be for a short-term or extended period, depending on the best interest of the child.
Aftercare Program: The provisions mentioned under Section 2(5), Section 46of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (amended 2021) and its Rule 25 provide aftercare facilities for children living in institutional care. These sections and rules mandate that "upon a child completing 18 years of age and leaving such care institution, financial assistance may be provided in the prescribed manner to facilitate their reintegration into mainstream society."
Aftercare is for all youths/adolescents who have grown up in any form of alternative care during their childhood, such as children's homes, observation homes, or suitable facilities, and have to leave those homes upon reaching the age of 18. Transitioning from a care institution to independent living presents various challenges and opportunities for youths as they navigate unforeseen circumstances and emotional changes. This transition period is delicate because if youths do not receive the necessary support at this time, they may miss out on available opportunities.
Under theAftercare program, youths who complete 18 years of age and leave the child care institution are provided with support to continue their education, employable skills and placement, industrial apprenticeship, loan assistance to start a business, and provisions for their reintegration into mainstream society and accommodation.
Under Section 2(25) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (amended 2021), Child Helpline (CHL) service is defined as a 24-hour emergency outreach service for children in distress which connects them to emergency or long-term care and rehabilitation services. '1098' is a national toll-free 24x7 helpline number dedicated to children in difficult circumstances. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, as amended in 2019, and the rules framed under it also emphasize the role of Childline in reporting cases under the Act.
From the financial year 2023-24, Child Helpline is operated as a 100% centrally funded scheme under the Mission Vatsalya scheme. A state levelWCD control room has been established in the state, and 75 Child Helpline units, 19 railway station units, and 2 bus stand units are being operated in all districts under the District Child Protection Unit as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Government of India.
The primary objective of the Child Helpline service is to provide emergency and immediate response to any child who has fallen out of the safety net and to connect the child to existing long-term services. This includes emergency police assistance, medical aid, shelter, legal assistance, emotional support, or guidance. Therefore, Child Helpline acts as a crucial link between children in crisis and the available services for their rehabilitation, family reintegration, or social reintegration. Children work as a point of contact that facilitates quick access to necessary assistance, advice and proactive intervention to children with various needs who call the Child Helpline at any time, from anywhere, and for any small or big issue.
Scheme for care and support to Victim under Section 4 & 6 of the Protection of Children from SexualOffences (POCSO) Act, 2012" (K-100%) - Under the centrally funded Mission Vatsalya Yojana, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, New Delhi, through letter number CW--29/1/2023-CW-1-Part-(1) (e-113033) dated 08.02.2024, has initiated a new scheme "Scheme for care and support to Victim under Section 4 & 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012" in the financial year 2023-24. This scheme provides for financial assistance to the victims under POCSO. The expenditure for this scheme is borne 100 percent by the Government of India.
(i).Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Child Service Scheme (children orphaned due to Covid) -
(ii).Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Child Service Scheme (General)-
To establish equal sex ratio in the state and prevent female feticide, to strengthen the health and education of the girl child, Chief Minister Kanya Sumangala Yojana was announced by the Chief Minister in March 2019 to provide financial assistance to the girl's family and to develop a positive attitude among the general public towards the girl child. This scheme has been implemented from 01 April 2019, a web portal (mksy.up.gov.in) has been developed for the operation of the scheme. The amount payable under Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana is transferred to the bank account through PFMS.
This scheme is being run by the State Government to provide financial compensation of amount of Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh maximum alongwith free medical services to the women and girl child victims of heinous offences. Under this scheme,immediate economic and medical relief, maintenance, education and health of the victims, alongwith revival is being ensured.
It is a scheme in mission mode aimed at strengthening interventions for women safety, security and empowerment. It seeks to realise the Government‟s commitment for ‘women-led development’ by addressing issues affecting women on a life-cycle continuum basis and by making them equal partners in nation-building through convergence and citizen-ownership. It seeks to focus on proposing strategies for improving convergence across Ministries/Departments and at different levels of governance. It also seeks to promote greater participation and support of Panchayats and other local level governance bodies, apart from strengthening digital infrastructure support, last mile tracking and Jan Sahabhagita. Mission Shakti has two sub-schemes -‘Sambal’and ‘Samarthya’. In the ‘Sambal’ subscheme, which is for safety and security of women, the existing scheme of One Stop Centre (OSC), Women Helpline (WHL), BetiBachaoBetiPadhao (BBBP) have been included with modifications and a new component of Nari Adalat - women collective has been added. In the ‘Samarthya' sub scheme, which is for empowerment of women, existing schemes of Ujjwala, SwadharGreh and Working Women Hostel have been included with modifications. In addition, the existing schemes of National Creche Scheme and PMMVY under umbrella.
ICDS have now been included in Samarthya. A new component of Gap Funding for Economic Empowerment has also been added in the Samarthya Scheme. The existing subschemes of Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) and Mahila Police Volunteers (MPV) have been discontinued. These guidelines have been developed to support stakeholders and agencies who would be involved in implementing the Scheme, as well as State, district and grassroots level functionaries. It is intended to serve as a reference manual for officials at the National, State/Union Territory (UT) and District / grass root levels for policy guidance and monitoring. These guidelines list out the services to be provided under the Scheme and steps and processes/procedures for implementation. These guidelines also highlight the roles and responsibilities of various line departments. It provides indicative monitoring and reporting formats to be used at different levels. The guidelines may be modified based on the feedback received from States/UTs from time to time, as per requirements, to ensure proper implementation.
According to the guidelines of the Government of India, under the Universalization of Women Helpline Scheme, 181 women helpline call centers are being operated in the state from March 08, 2016, for which the objectives of the said scheme are as follows:-
According to the decision taken at the competent level to make the process of operation of 181 Women Helpline simple and strong, 181 Women Helpline Call Centers are being operated by integrating with 112 UP Kendras. 300 PRVs of 112-U.P. in which 02 women police personnel are deployed, are being used to provide rescue vans 24x7 in each district for emergency response on calls to 181 women helpline.
Government of India funded One Stop Center was started in 2016-17. The objective of the scheme is to provide all the necessary services to the victims of violence like short stay (05 days), medical aid, counseling services, legal aid etc. under one roof. At present, one stop center is being operated in all the districts of the state. Center Manager/Administrator-1 for administrative work in each one stop center for providing essential services to women victims of violence, Psychological Counselor-1 for providing counseling services to the victim, Paramedical Nurse-3 for medical services, for office Arrangements have been made for Computer Operator-Sahlipik-1 and Case Worker-02. Apart from this, emergency response and rescue services are provided by contacting police department dial 112, health department dial 108, 102 and first information report or complaint of the victim is lodged by contacting the police department. Assistance is provided through the impaneled advocates of the Legal Services Authority to get justice to the aggrieved woman. One stop center is being operated in all 75 districts of the state.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme (BBBP) is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. The main objective of the scheme is to reduce the falling child sex ratio (CSR) in India, as well as issues related to the education, all-round development and empowerment of women. A major part of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme is the activities related to public awareness and publicity.
In 68 districts, the scheme is operated in multi-sectoral intervention mode, under which the following activities are organized -
All the above activities are conducted at the district level through District Magistrate and District Probation Officer. For operation by the center, 100 percent money is transferred directly to the joint account of the District Magistrate and the District Probation Officer.
In 03 districts, this scheme is operated in alert media advocacy and outreach mode, in which the activities related to propaganda are directly conducted by the center.
Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt. ofIndia