UKHRUL, July 4: Relatively a new scheme, the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) is aimed at providing a safe and protective environment for the development and well-being of children under any circumstances. And Manipur Government has already received funds from the Centre for implementing the scheme throughout the State.
However, since the State government has not released the fund to the District Child Protection Society (DCPS) Ukhrul till date, implementation of various targets under ICPS continues to get stalled in the district.
This constraint was disclosed by DCPS officials who attended a one day consultative meeting on ICPS & ECCE as resource persons at TTA conference hall on Friday. With a view to enlighten the public about the schemes, the consultation was organized by UDAR-MACR which is an alliance body of NGOs, CBOs and Human Rights Organizations of the district.
Speaking at the occasion, Ringshangphi, member secy DCPS, said that funds for ICPS are already in the State’s coffer but as the funds are yet to reach the concerned district unit/implementing unit, various programs under the scheme remained stalled.
Informing that the fund had lapsed once earlier, Ringshangphi who is also DPO, ICDS cell Ukhrul, lamented that this happened because the State government has delayed necessary procedures like interviews, appointment of staff while holding back funds release for reasons best known to themselves.
Highlighting the objective of the ICPS, Indramani of DCPS informed that the concept of the scheme is primarily to provide homely environment to children whose parents /guardians are no more.
Informing this, he further added that sending such children to institutes should be the last option.
Meanwhile, calling upon all concerned to cooperate with the department in ensuring successful implementation of such schemes, DCPS officials opined that unless the public, NGOs, churches, civil societies etc. are involved, various objectives under the scheme could never be achieved.
The officials also highlighted the strategies for implementation of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) to be adopted in the district.
During the program, many participants raised relevant queries and put up proposals in the interest of child development programs.
Participants called for an urgent need to set up a girls shelter home within Ukhrul town apart from pointing out the lack of park, recreation hall, library etc. for children in the district.
The program was attended by representatives from CBOs, NGOs, Churches, UDACR, CWC, local leaders and media.