Crimes against kids have risen in last three years, says Maneka

The Government said that there had been substantial rise in cases of crime against children. “The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has reported that 38,172 cases, 58,224 cases and 89,423 cases were registered under crime against children during 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively,” Minister of Women and Child Development, Maneka Sanjay Gandhi said in reply to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha recently.

Describing the significant steps taken by the government to curb the cases of atrocities against children, she said, “Under section 13(1) (a) of CPCR Act, 2005, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights regularly reviews various laws and policies related to children and gives recommendations thereon. Also a dedicated/transparent Online Complaint System (ebaalnidaan) has been functioning since March, 2014. This system ensures timely/speedy redressal of complaints of violations and deprivation of child rights.”

“In collaboration with NCPCR, the Government organizes various seminars/trainings/workshops on matters of violation of child rights and to sensitize stakeholders across the country. The government monitors the implementation of provisions of the POCSO Act, 2012 and RTE Act, 2009 and also gives recommendations to stakeholders across the country for effective implementation of laws concerning child rights,” she added.

She also informed the Upper House that there is no crunch of funds under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme.  “The real time monitoring and assessment of malnourished children under National Nutrition Mission has not been rejected by the Expenditure Finance Committee and there is no fund crunch under the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme,” she said.

“During 2015-16, an amount of Rs 15485.77 crore has been allocated for the scheme, including supplementary grants. The funds for providing supplementary nutrition to the beneficiaries for eradication of malnutrition are released on the basis of the number of beneficiaries availing the service in the respective State,” added the minister.