By Aristiotle Lyngdoh
Human development should be the ultimate goal for the realization of human rights through every developmental activity. If this is not the focus then all efforts are just extravagant expenditure for the sake of spending. Base on this universal ideology, the future of every nation or state is defined by the present condition of children who constitutes the age group which corresponds to that future. Their percentage share in the development index is the indicator to the type of future we expect. Therefore, children’s overall development in physical, emotional and moral aspects should get a prominent place in the state’s policy and expenditure. ICPS (Integrated Child Protection Scheme) is one such programme that the country has initiated to comply with the UN resolution on Child’s Rights by creating equality of opportunity for all children in order to align with that objective of the future. An evaluation to keep track of the progress of the scheme is essential else it will be another extravagant expenditure.
Five years have passed since the implementation of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) in the state of Meghalaya, but the appraisal study to ascertain the overall impact of the programme is yet to be conducted. Unless that is done it will not be possible to understand the situation of children in our state and the various implications thereof. If in any case, such assessment was undertaken, the outcome of it should have been made public or projected in the list of government achievements and the same should also be seen happening on the ground. While other states have shown certain levels of improvement despite many challenges and cultural obstacles, Meghalaya’s status in this regard is unknown and many children in need of care and protection are yet to be brought under the purview of ICPS. In case the centrally sponsored scheme is withdrawn for non achievement of desirable expectation, the state government is entirely responsible and accountable for this. But accountable to whom is big question here. Finally let the informed electorate measure these things carefully and consider every action with utmost importance. Hopefully, in an effort to reshuffle party’s strategy and leadership for the 2018 battle, these are few of the issues that should be deliberately discussed among the learned who can influence the electorate.
Unlike ICDS which focuses on the physical development of children and is almost perpetual and without a time line, the ICPS on the other hand is a time bound programme specifically designed to cater to the deprived children of the society. Based on this objective, the programme should never be considered as another employment alternative for the selected few, lest the objective and purpose of the scheme is defeated and the targeted group still remains neglected. Extending financial support to shelter homes across the state is not the only activity postulated within the framework of the operation and if this is the case then we are creating an opportunity for shelter homes to keep mushrooming as sources of funding for these charity groups but real development of children is still a far cry. Why should we have a separate policy and team for this cause? Cannot the department itself handle this issue of extending financial support? Therefore, this article is neither to criticize nor to condemn but to point out that since there are children in many pockets within our state who are staggering under difficult situations deprived of opportunities and proper education, they should be the focus of the intervention. Kerala is one of the states that has sincerely implemented the scheme in letter and spirit and if the pace continues, the vulnerability rate of children in need of care and protection will definitely disappear in a specified period.
Had private organizations implemented and run the programme, the situation would have been different because in private organizations, the attribute to achieve certain targeted objectives are rooted in the DNA of the operation mechanism. But since ICPS is a government runs programme, the slackness and lingering nature inherited from predecessors defines the results and productivity of the entire operation and mission. To understand further on the issue that I raised, let me sort out only few objectives of the programme such as; 1) toUndertake research and documentation; 2) To strengthen child protection at family and community level, create and promote preventive measures to protect children from situations of vulnerability, risk and abuse; 3) To ensure appropriate inter-sectoral response at all levels, coordinate and network with all allied systems; 4) To raise public awareness, educate public on child rights and protection on situation and vulnerabilities of children and families, on available child protection services, schemes and structures at all levels.
Further, the guiding principles states that Institutional care of children should be considered as the last resort whereas the loving family environment is the best place for a child to grow. Children in need of care and protection or in other words orphans and semi-orphans are plenty in our society and these are hidden inside the joint family set up of their grandparents, relatives etc excluded from programme coverage.
Looking at the above objectives, it appears that we are far behind in meeting the global standards. In fact, objective No 2 has tremendous scope for extensive community intervention programmes, appropriate to address the social problems in our own state. But it is sad to see the lackadaisical nature that is embedded in most of these initiatives. In 2014-15 alone more than Rs 18 crore has been sanctioned by the central government towards this scheme and more than Rs 30 crore has been allotted during last five years. But in contrast, from the information available on the ministry website, the overall situation of children within our state is very bleak. Further, if we break this amount into the cost per head, approximately not less than 7000 children will be benefitted at Rs 700 monthly in the last five years and this is not an insignificant support. But if any diversion of fund occurs from the share of this programme meant for the deprived children, then those responsible for this are also committing similar kinds of injustices towards these innocent children.
In simple words, objectives are promises we make for ourselves and for others to achieve. The process to keep and fulfill such promises may be considered as a mission but how realistic are we when it comes to professional operation? The absence of specific data to identify and define who falls under the targeted group will in no way bring any impact on the society. It is pathetic to see that realistic figures showing numbers of children benefitting from every programme is unknown and in this case no one can authenticate the success of any programme be it ICDS or ICPS etc. As Indians we are very good in making promises and this is the way of life but fulfilling and meeting these promises is a difficult task because promises are made to fool others.
Milestones after milestones have to be conquered in every sector of governance and only then will the state show signs of progress. Reshuffling people in the government and party is a right approach just like replacing parts in a machine but the motive should be correct and not to ravage the resources one after another like insect and scavengers.