State Children Policy implemented in Uttarakhand, children will not be seen begging on the streets

Child begging remains a serious problem not only in Uttarakhand but in almost all the states of the country, because it not only ruins the lives of children, but it is also becoming a big business. Initiatives have been taken from time to time by the Central Government and the State Governments to curb it. In this sequence, the Supreme Court had asked the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the State Governments to implement the Straight Children Policy. Along with preparing the policy in Uttarakhand, the cabinet has also approved it. On June 2, the state government has also issued a notification of the policy.

This policy has come into force in Uttarakhand only after the notification of State Children Policy 2025 was issued by the Uttarakhand government. Many provisions have been made in this policy, under which children living on the roadside or children begging on the roadside are to be provided a better life. However, before the implementation of this policy, initiatives have been taken from time to time to rehabilitate children at the district level and get them out of the quagmire of begging. But for the first time, the Straight Children Policy 2025 has been implemented at the state level. In such a situation, all the schemes for children will also be operated under this policy.

The Supreme Court had directed that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights should prepare a model draft. On the basis of which draft, all the states should make State Children Policy in their states. In such a situation, along with preparing the State Children Policy, the policy was approved in the cabinet meeting held on 16 May. In such a situation, on 2 June 2025, the state government has also issued a notification of the State Children Policy. Through the State Children Policy, the government will make a plan under this policy for the welfare of homeless children. Efforts that should be made to bring children into the mainstream of society will be made.

Chandresh Yadav, Secretary, Women Empowerment and Child Development Department

In the Straight Children Policy, provisions have been made to connect the poor children of the state to the mainstream. In such a situation, if this policy comes down to the ground in a better way, then in the coming time, not a single child begging along with the children living on the roadside will be seen on the streets. In this policy, the responsibility of all the stakeholders of the society along with the government departments has also been fixed. Under which any shopkeeper or businessman will give information about the children begging around their shop. The DM will have to work for the protection and rehabilitation of children as per the policy prepared by the National Rights Protection Commission.

This policy will also be covered by the Juvenile Justice Board. Along with keeping these children in the child reform home, they will be connected to education, so that the future of the children can be brightened. Also told that in the initial phase, work was going on at different levels in the districts. But for the first time such a policy has been implemented at the state level.

Chandresh Yadav, Secretary, Women Empowerment and Child Development Department

As per the provisions made in the State Children Policy, homeless or street-side children will be rescued immediately and the information about the risk of those children will have to be updated on the Bal Swaraj-Children in Street Situation (CISS) portal. After this, along with making arrangements for clothes and food for the children, health check-up and medical treatment of the children will also have to be done. Many provisions have been made to ensure that children get better education, including arranging education. Not only this, many rules and regulations have also been mentioned in this policy, so that children can be included in the mainstream.