ICPS programme to sponsor deprived children starts

The under-18 children living either as institutionalized at government homes or living with a family under deplorable conditions come under the programme.

Each selected child will get Rs 2000 per month as part of the sponsorship from the government and each district has Rs 10 lakhs for a year.

Each district child protection unit is inviting applications from the public as well those suggested by the Juvenile Justice board, child welfare committee, block level child development project officers (CDPO) etc.

As of now, Pathanamthitta district tops in selecting the number of children, 74 of the 147 applications received. 49 were selected in Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram—22, Kasargod—15, Malappuram—9, Kozhikode—20, Kannur—8.

Inviting applications and scrutinizing are under process and in different stages in various districts. In Palakkad, each of the 21 CDPOs were asked to identify five children.

The vulnerable condition of children includes being in a joint family without proper care, being in the protection of a stepmother, differently-abled condition etc.

Abused children were also identified in two districts of Malabar. “The programme is to provide a joyful family atmosphere to the deprived children who are school-going. The list has been finalized after proper inquiry and verification,” said Sameer Machingal, district child protection officer (DCPO), Malappuram.

As many as 48 children in each district could be covered under the sponsorship programme. But DCPOs complain that they have been facing bureaucratic hurdles in disbursing the amount.

The joint account system, stipulated by the ICPS has not been linked to banks and the treasury has no provision to transfer funds to all public sector banks.