Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): The Haryana Human Rights Commission held a comprehensive review meeting with senior officials of the Women and Child Development Department on Wednesday to evaluate and strengthen child rights protection, rehabilitation systems, and institutional arrangements across the state. Chaired by Commission Chairperson Justice Lalit Batra at the HHRC headquarters in Chandigarh, the meeting focused on enhancing the operational standards of Child Care Institutions and ensuring robust welfare measures for vulnerable youth.
The high-level meeting was attended by judicial member Kuldeep Jain, members Deep Bhatia and Ravi Kumar Sondhi, alongside senior commission officers and department representatives including Commissioner and Secretary Shekhar Vidyarthi and Director Dr. Priyanka Sony. During the proceedings, the department presented a detailed compliance report highlighting current operational frameworks, staff deployments, and infrastructure upgrades across the 63 functional Child Care Institutions currently operating in Haryana under Mission Vatsalya standards.
Reviewing financial support mechanisms, Commissioner Shekhar Vidyarthi informed the commission that children residing in care facilities receive a monthly maintenance allowance of 3,000 rupees under Mission Vatsalya. The state department has also submitted a proposal to the Union Government seeking an additional 1,000 rupees per child for government-run facilities. Director Dr. Priyanka Sony added that an updated notification regarding revised financial norms is anticipated by September 2026, while pending grant applications are undergoing expedited review to ensure timely funding for eligible institutions.
Emphasizing the importance of civil documentation, commission member Deep Bhatia stressed the need to secure identity credentials, birth certificates, and national health coverage cards for every child entering care homes. Department officials confirmed that enrolment protocols commence immediately upon a child’s admission, alongside regular inspections conducted by state and district committees under the Juvenile Justice Act of 2015. The commission was also briefed on broader rehabilitation efforts, including school enrolments, vocational ITI training, mental health counseling, and regular health check-ups under the National Bal Swasthya Programme.
