Centre to set up 'State Commissions for Child Protection': Minister

Hyderabad, Sep 3 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development (HRD) D Purandeswari today said the Centre would constitute at the earliest 'State Commissions for Child Protection' in all states, under the Women and Child Welfare Department.

Speaking at a national seminar on 'Stop child abuse,' organised by the Centre for Inquiry here, Ms Purandeswari said the State Commissions would be set up on the lines of National Commission for Child Protection (NCCP) constituted last year.

Expressing concern over increasing child labour and child abuse in the country, Ms Purandeswari said the State Commissions' duty would be to check child trafficking, eliminate child abuse and gender discrimination.

Observing India was ranked number one in child labour despite Constitutional provisions to eliminate the social menace,she said the country required comprehensive legislations to solve the social problem in future.

She called upon social groups and NGOs to create awareness among the people about repercussions of child abuse on the society, which could have impact on the socio-economic development of the country.

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