@the_news_21
Mumbai: Maharashtra legislative council deputy chairperson, Dr Neelam Gorhe has asked the state government to strengthen the child protection help system for girls who do not stay at the maintenance homes during the period of lockdown.
Dr Gorhe added that steps should be taken to set up temporary secured arrangements for such girls.
Dr Gorhe also said that for those children who have lost both their parents due to Covid-19, their district-wise information should be collected and presented.
”There should be an action plan on the adoption of children and their surveillance”, Dr Gorhe stated.
She said that all these steps should be taken as per the Disaster Management Act that is currently in effect in the state.
Dr Gorhe chaired virtual meetings with the senior officials of the education department, rural development department and women and child development ministry. The meeting was attended by South Mumbai MP Arvind Sawant.
In the meeting, she made certain suggestions like making amendments to the guidelines on the issues of children being assaulted by their parents in the period of lockdown. Other issues that were discussed in the meeting include people being misled on the adoption of orphans and allowing children to stay at orphanages till they attain higher age.
She said that the state government has started initiating action against people who have been spreading fake messages on social media on the adoption of children who have lost both their parents due to corona.
Dr Gorhe said that for those children who have become orphan, their district-wise information should be sought and action should be taken for their rehabilitation as per the law.
She informed that according to the survey conducted by NGOs incidences of child marriage have increased during the period of lockdown.
As a reason, she said that counselling of parents should be done who are indulging in such practises.
The deputy Chairperson also said that only training has been started by the government and awareness should be done on it.
She further asked for strict action against schools that indulge in gender discrimination.
South Mumbai MP, Arvind Sawant said that efforts should be taken to increase the age bar for children who are living in orphanages.
He said, those above 18 years of age and who do not possess any valid document should be inoculated with the COVID vaccine. He also said that educational institutions should adopt at least one orphan child who could take higher education.
