Govt plans national periodic survey to map children's welfare needs

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (Mospi) is set to conduct a national child survey in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) to help policymakers get timely and reliable statistics to ensure better protection of the children's rights.

- SHIVA RAJORA

The survey will map the needs of children under Mission Vatsalya, a scheme for children in need of care and protection as well as those in conflict with law. The periodic survey will then be used to prepare a child index.

"The MoSPI has initiated a discussion to collaborate with MoWCD for conducting a national child survey to map the needs of children covered under the Mission Vatsalya Scheme through a periodic survey. The main focus of the survey is the preparation of a child index under Mission Vatsalya," the statistics ministry told a parliamentary panel in response to its suggestions for developing a child index.