Kerala govt decides to relaunch ‘Kaithangu’

Thiruvananthapuram: In the wake of growing atrocities against women and children, the women and child development department has decided to relaunch the Kaithangu in the state.

The main aim of the scheme is to identify vulnerable women and children in society and provide them with much needed social support.

However, the grass-root level monitoring systems launched at panchayats including Jagratha Samitis have proved ineffective.

The Kaithangu scheme launched in 2017 was a total failure. In most of the districts, the scheme did not serve its purpose because of a lack of resources and coordination.

Initially, the scheme was launched in 350 wards from selected 70 panchayats in eight districts.

Now, the government has sanctioned Rs 27.3 lakh for the scheme. The women protection officers of each district will monitor the scheme.

"Due to technical issues, it failed in most of the wards earlier. Lack of social workers for coordinating the scheme was one reason," an officialtold Deccan Chronicle.

"Now the plan is to form a response team comprising Kudumbashree workers, Asha workers, Mahila Pradhan Agents, Janamaithri Police, youth clubs and residents' association in 700 wards of selected panchayats of the 14 districts."

Till 2019 September, Kerala reported 10,516 cases of crime against women.

The scheme will identify families that are broken, vulnerable or adversely affected by alcoholism or drug abuse in each ward.