eetaram bharatam Khammam, April 08:
Regional Network In-charge: Nalubola Madhulata (madhusree)
Today, the Chairperson of the Telangana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (TGSCPCR), Smt. Seetha Dayakar Reddy, along with committee members, visited Khammam district. A review meeting was held in Raghunadhapalem Mandal, presided over by the District Welfare Officer (DWO), Smt. Velpula Vijetha. The meeting was attended by Sarpanches, Panchayat Secretaries, teachers, Anganwadi staff, and officials from various departments.
Key Highlights of the Meeting:
Child Rights & Protection: Extensive discussions were held on protecting child rights, preventing child marriages, eradicating child labor, and ensuring the right to education.
VCPC Activation: The Chairperson directed that Village Child Protection Committees (VCPCs) must become more proactive at the grassroots level to identify and resolve children’s issues immediately.
District Initiatives: DWO Smt. Velpula Vijetha stated that under the leadership of District Collector Anudeep Durishetty, wide-scale awareness programs are being conducted. she announced the goal to transform Raghunadhapalem into a “Child Marriage-Free Mandal” soon.
Local Support: Sarpanches expressed their solidarity and pledged to work committedly to completely eradicate child marriages in their respective villages.
Departmental Updates:
Panchayat Raj: District Panchayat Officer (DPO) Rambabu mentioned a strategic plan to empower Sarpanches and Panchayat Secretaries to safeguard child rights effectively.
Health: District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO) Shri Rama Rao noted that Khammam is already a polio-free district and reiterated the department’s commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of all children.
Data-Driven Protection: Commission member Smt. Chandana emphasized that every Sarpanch must maintain accurate data—specifically the number of school-going children, dropouts, and out-of-school children—to create effective protection plans.
Community Responsibility: Another member, Saritha, highlighted that just as parents and teachers play a vital role, Sarpanches must take responsibility as village elders to protect children.
Field Visit & Conclusion:
Following the meeting, the team visited the KGBV (Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya) in Khammam Rural. The Chairperson interacted with the students, inspected the facilities provided, and expressed her satisfaction with the standards maintained.
The Chairperson concluded the visit by commending the district administration and expressing satisfaction with the efficient functioning of the VCPCs in the district.
