Kochi: In the wake of increasing atrocities against children, the Kochi Corporation has decided to revive the child protection committee, which has been dormant for several years.
During the council meeting on Monday, councillor Elizabeth Idicula expressed concern over the increasing rate of violence against women and children and stressed the need for reviving the committee.
“Even the council members are not aware whether any such committees are functioning, though they are mandatory as per rules,” she said.
While replying to the debate, Mayor Soumini Jain said that many ‘jagrutha samithis’ have been constituted in the civic body as per the instruction of the social justice department. “However, these committees are dormant and the corporation will revive them considering the current social condition,” added Ms. Jain.
There have been complaints that the ward -level jagrutha samithis, set up in all divisions and wards of local bodies, are not functioning properly. The committees are expected to bring out the atrocities against women and children and provide legal assistance and support for women who are victims of violence.
