New Delhi, Feb 6 (IANS): Union Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday informed Parliament that the Ministry of Women and Child Development and Ministry of Railways have jointly taken up an initiative to ensure the care and protection, security and well-being of run away children.

Irani, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, said that "the Ministry of Women and Child Development and Ministry of Railways have jointly taken up an initiative to ensure the care and protection, security and well-being of run away, unaccompanied and trafficked children who may come in contact with Railway. The Ministry has supported Railway Childline help desk at 122 Railway stations."

The minister said that over fifty thousand children were traced during the year 2018 out of which 20,555 were boys and 42,691 were girls. This included, 17,900 boys and 38,566 girls from the states and 2,655 boys and 4,125 girls from the Union Territories. The data was based on the inputs provided by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). At least 27 Transgender children were also traced in Bihar aged between 5 to 14 years.

As per Section 2 (14) (ix) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJ Act), a child who is found vulnerable and is likely to be inducted into drug abuse or trafficking is included as a 'child in need of care and protection'.

"Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing 'Child Protection Services' (CPS) (erstwhile Integrated Child Protection Scheme), for the care, protection, rehabilitation and reintegration of children in difficult circumstances," Irani said in the Rajya Sabha.