Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jun 23: Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner (DC) Darshan H V has directed officials to treat child missing cases with utmost seriousness and initiate immediate action without any delay.
He was speaking while presiding over the district child welfare and protection committee meeting held at his office on Monday.
Reviewing the statistics, the DC noted that 86 missing child cases were registered across various police stations in the district over the past year, out of which 79 children have been successfully traced. He emphasized the need to prioritize investigations to locate the remaining missing children swiftly.
Inspections at child care institutions
Highlighting the welfare of children in care institutions, Darshan stated that 2,581 children are currently housed in 69 child care institutions, including orphanages, special schools, and destitute homes registered under the Juvenile Justice Act. He mandated monthly inspections of these facilities to ensure that the buildings are suitable for accommodation, equipped with proper ventilation and lighting, and that quality food is being provided to the children.
Helpline 1098 awareness
The DC also instructed that the 24/7 free emergency child helpline number, 1098, must be prominently displayed in all schools across the district to assist children in distress. He noted that 763 cases were received on the helpline over the last year and urged officials to consider every complaint seriously. Furthermore, he directed that child protection committee meetings at the taluk and gram panchayat levels be held continuously to raise awareness.
Key directives and departmental updates
Additional DC Raju K instructed officials to conduct regular health checkups and counseling for girls residing in hostels. He stressed that immediate action must be taken in cases of health fluctuations or any reports of sexual abuse.
Noting the proliferation of nurseries, babysitting centers, and pre-schools in the district, the DC directed the department of public instruction to formulate necessary guidelines to monitor and strictly register these establishments.
As many runaway children are often found at railway stations, the DC asked the superintendent of police (SP) to coordinate closely with the railway police to rescue them.
The labour department was tasked with conducting frequent inspections at hotels and shops to curb child labour. It is mandatory for all factories, shops, and commercial establishments to display boards stating they do not employ children. Officials informed the meeting that cases were registered against 92 establishments for violating this rule, and fines totaling Rs 3.06 lac were collected from 49 of these cases.
Officials reported that 34 victims under the POCSO Act were provided financial assistance of Rs 1.70 lac from the Juvenile Justice Fund. It was also noted that 199 children have been adopted from the district's two adoption centers since 2010, with 20 children currently awaiting adoption.
Women and child development department district programme officer Rashmi informed the gathering that a monthly assistance of Rs 4,000 is being provided under the sponsorship scheme to orphans, children of single parents, and those with incarcerated parents. This scheme has benefited 1,035 children up to March 2026.
Additionally, financial aid of Rs 2,000 per month is given to HIV/AIDS-infected children under 18. Under the Chief Minister's Bala Seva scheme, Rs 3,500 per month is provided to children who lost both parents to Covid-19. Out of the 11 beneficiaries in the district, seven have recently turned 18, Rashmi added.
District Legal Services Authority member secretary and judge Jaibunnisa, additional SP Anil Kumar, and other department officials were present at the meeting.