Call to protect child rights

Eluru: Joint Collector M Venugopala Reddy has warned of stern action against officials, if they failed to protect rights of children. He directed the officials to act tough against those violating child right acts and save children. It is the duty of everyone to safeguard the rights of the children under various child right acts.

He informed that at present the district has 90 child protection centres and proposals came for establishing another 16. About 4,500 children have been taking shelter in the centres maintained by voluntary organisations. Officials of concerned departments should visit the centres regularly and verify whether the children were getting good treatment there.

They should conduct surprise inspections of these centres. The JC wanted the officials to submit a report to him on the strength of children sheltered at these centres with their names. Officials of woman and child welfare, police and other departments were present.