Govt plans survey of orphaned children, single-parent kids in state
District collectors have been instructed to coordinate with relevant departments to conduct the survey through anganwadi workers.
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The primary objective is to identify vulnerable children and integrate them into a unified protective network.
The initiative aims to ensure these children can access various govt welfare schemes and receive necessary support.
"This is to request you to conduct a survey of orphans and children of single parents in your respective districts and their households in the enclosed formats through anganwadi workers.
District social welfare officer (DSWO), Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS), and child development project officers under your control may be entrusted to supervise the survey exercise," read the letter from the women and child development department to collectors.
It said a survey cell should be set up at the district level. The department said consolidated information regarding the survey outcome should be submitted by Sept 4.
Govt sources said there will be training of anganwadi workers on how to fill up the forms and elicit information.
The previous govt conducted a survey of orphans five years ago, with the numbers around 2.5 lakh. This is the second time the survey is being done to include their details like conditions in which they are living, orphanage or any other place.
"After 2020, their number may have increased significantly as many children were orphaned because of the Covid-19 pandemic. There could be more children of single parents as in many cases either the mother or father died. In many families, both died," said a govt officer.
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