Mumbai, 20: Under the ‘Phirte Pathak’ (mobile squad) pilot scheme, which was implemented successfully in six districts, street children, orphans, single children and neglected children are being rehabilitated. Based on this pilot, Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare has directed that proposals be invited for the mobile squad scheme in 31 municipal corporations across 22 districts. The decision was taken at a meeting on the scheme held at Mantralaya, attended by the concerned officials.
Under the scheme, mobile vans provide street children with nutritious food, health care, education and recreation. Children are enrolled under Aadhaar and given counselling and emotional support, and parents are made aware of the importance of education. Special efforts are being made to bring street children into mainstream education.
The pilot was earlier implemented in six districts: Nashik, Pune, Mumbai city, Mumbai suburban, Thane and Nagpur. So far, 3,803 children have been given educational, health, recreation and food facilities, and many have been brought into the mainstream of education. Pune district accounted for the most, with 1,679 children, followed by 810 in Mumbai city, 750 in Thane, 285 in Nashik and 279 in Nagpur.
The plan proposes 31 mobile squads: 28 municipal corporation areas across the state, along with Mumbai city, the eastern suburbs and the western suburbs.
Minister Aditi Tatkare said voluntary organisations must submit their registration under the Mumbai Public Trusts Act, an entry on the funds portal, audit reports for the last three years, and the organisation’s constitution and rules. Vehicles assigned to the mobile squads must mandatorily be fitted with CCTV cameras and tracking systems, and this system will work in coordination with the concerned police department.
The organisations concerned must also inform the Child Welfare Committee, the Child Rights Commission and the local police administration about their area of operation. Fresh applications will be invited from organisations, and the entire process has been directed to be completed quickly.
If rules are violated, the provision has been made to cancel the agreement with the organisation concerned and appoint an alternative organisation.