By IANS,
New Delhi : The Delhi government has decided to set up 40 centres for the overall development of street and working children, said Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit here Tuesday.
Launching the Bachpan Sanwarti Dilli, an integrated convergence programme for street and working children, Diskhit expressed grave concern over the presence of five lakh child labourers in the capital.
“There is a need for concerted effort to stop the practice of child labour and the labour department of the government is giving shape to the national child labour programme to improve the condition of these children,” she said.
“Apart from the role of the government, role of the society and NGOs is also important to help improve the condition of these children to a certain exent,” she added.
Besides 40 centres for these children, the Delhi government is planning to start around 300 learning centres, 100 creches, 10 shelter homes and 20 children drop centres.
“The government is planning financial help on the lines of pension schemes for these children so that they don’t have to work for their families and can come into the mainstream of society with better education,” said Dikshit.
Labour and Industries Minister Ramakant Goswami, who was also present at the launch, said: “A large number of child labour would benefit form these 40 centres in the city and funds would not be a problem in implementation of this programme.”