Bal Swaraj Covid Care
Source : PIB
GS II : Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections

Why in News ?

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) under section 109 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and in view of the growing problem related to children affected by COVID-19 has introduced an online tracking portal Bal Swaraj COVID Care link for child in need of care and protection.

Key Facts

• Portal created with the purpose for online tracking and digital real time monitoring mechanism of children who are in need of care and protection.
• The Commission has extended the use of this portal for tracking children who have lost both its parents or either of the parent during COVID-19.
• It provided a link under the name of COVID-Care or uploading of data of such children by the concerned officer/department on the portal.
• Section 2(14) of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 children in need of care and protection to ensure the well-being and best interest of children.

Bal Swaraj-COVID-Care

• Aims to Protect right from the production of children before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to the restoration of the children to their parent/guardian/relative and its subsequent follow-up.
• Commission will be able to get information about whether the child is being able to get his/her entitlements, benefits and monetary gains for which the child is entitled to.
• Also come to know whether the child has been produced before the CWC and the orders are being passed for him/her.
• The Commission can also identify if the State is needing financial assistance in getting more funds for giving benefit under implemented schemes to the children.

Need for the Portal

• Many children left orphaned during COVID 19 after the death of parents.
• The report shows some instances from various region
  • Ganjam district in Odisha, a 45 day old girl was found next to her mother’s body.
  • A mother left two daughters, a 15 year old and a seven year old, lost battle against COVID 19.
  • Four members of a family died over 12 days leaving behind two daughters aged six and 10.
• Child rights activist after messages on social media and WhatsApp groups began circulating containing adoption appeals for children who had recently been orphaned by COVID19.
• Response from Ministry
  • Ministry flag such adoption requests as illegal.
  • Reason : Urged people to prevent trafficking in the garb of adoption.
• The Supreme Court order directed all district officers across theStates/UTs to fill data on the Commission’s portal related to children who have become orphan on Bal Swaraj portal under the COVID-Care link.

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