- Special campaign from 1st to 30th June under Bal Saksham Policy-2022, focus on identification and rehabilitation of children involved in child labour, beggary and living in street conditions
Under the effective implementation of the Child Saksham Policy-2022 by the Women and Child Development Department, a special campaign is being conducted across the state from June 1 to June 30, 2026. The main objective of this campaign is to identify children living in adverse conditions like on the streets, engaged in works like begging, child labour, garbage collection and those in need of protection and care, and ensure their safe rescue, protection and permanent rehabilitation.
Under the campaign, a massive awareness, inspection and rescue campaign was carried out by joint teams of the district administration, women and child development department, district child protection unit, child helpline-1098, labour department, police department and other allied organisations in various districts including Bastar, Durg, Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai, Mohla-Manpur-Ambagadh Chowki, Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi, Balod, Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Surajpur, Sukma, Sarangarh-Bilaigarh, Narayanpur, Raipur and Bemetara.
During this period, various public places including bus stand, railway station, market, hotel, dhaba, junk shop, garage, construction site, auto stand, fruit and vegetable market, grocery shop, hardware establishment were inspected. During the inspection, child labour, begging and children living in unsafe conditions were identified and necessary action was taken. Along with this, pamphlets and posters were distributed to shopkeepers, establishment operators and common citizens informing them about child rights, child protection laws and provisions of Child Saksham Policy and the message of adopting sensitive behaviour towards children was given.
During the campaign in Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district, nine children were identified working in various establishments. The children and establishment operators were informed about the rules prohibiting child labor and provided necessary guidance. Two minor children found begging in the Pendra area of the Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district were rescued and presented before the Child Welfare Committee to ensure proper arrangements for their protection and rehabilitation.Upon receiving information about a possible child marriage in Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district, a joint team of the district administration, police department, and child protection unit immediately arrived at the scene and conducted an investigation.
Document verification revealed that both parties were 19 years old. Following this, the families were informed about the provisions of the Child Marriage Prohibition Act, 2006, and provided necessary guidance.
On the occasion of Drug-Free India Week, extensive public awareness programs were organized in the Mohla-Manpur-Ambagadh Chowki district regarding the Child Empowerment Policy, prevention of child marriage, child protection, and Child Helpline 1098. Meanwhile, in remote villages of Narayanpur district, villagers were provided with information about various non-institutional services and child protection, care, and rehabilitation schemes operated under Mission Vatsalya.
Through this special campaign being run across the state, effective steps are being taken to connect children with education, health, security, counselling and rehabilitation services. The aim of the campaign is not only to rescue children from risky situations but also to provide them with a safe and respectful environment. The public is also being appealed to immediately inform the Child Helpline 1098 or emergency service 112 if they come across any information about child exploitation, child labour, begging, neglect or any other crisis situation, so that necessary assistance and protection can be provided in time.