Plan for child protection gets extension

A central plan for protection of children got extra financial incentives Friday to prevent the attrition of skilled child protection personnel.

The cabinet committee on economic affairs gave its approval for continuation of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) in the 12th plan with enhanced financial norms.

The total financial implication for the 12th plan period for the programme would be Rs.30 billion, which includes a central share of Rs.23.5 billion and a state share of Rs.6.5 billion, an official release said.

The approval of the revised scheme with enhanced financial norms will prevent attrition and help in recruitment of skilled child protection personnel, ensure sufficient nutrition and minimum required facilities are provided to children and promote convergence with other schemes being run by the government or NGOs.

The ICPS is a centrally-sponsored programme for child protection, being implemented across the country from 2009-10.

Implementation of the scheme has highlighted the urgent need for a revision of financial norms and provision of flexibility to secure effective implementation of programmes and services for protection of children, the release said.