Jharkhand is facing a critical halt in the implementation of the central government’s Mission Vatsalya scheme, sparking strong criticism from the BJP. This vital program, designed to safeguard the protection, welfare, and rights of children, aims to provide every child with a healthy, secure, and joyful childhood while fostering their potential in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals. The mission operates under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and the POCSO Act, 2012. However, reports indicate that Mission Vatsalya has been completely non-operational in Jharkhand for the past year.
The BJP alleges that the state government is treating officials and staff associated with Mission Vatsalya like bonded laborers. Those tasked with ensuring justice and security for children across the state are themselves struggling to receive their rightful economic compensation. For a full 12 months, Chairpersons and members of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) members, computer operators, social workers, outreach workers, accountants, and shelter home staff have not received their salaries. Many employees are facing severe financial distress, with some burdened by debt. The situation has become so dire that some staff members lack the funds for medical treatment. In a poignant example, an accountant named Santosh Kashyap has been hospitalized due to mental stress caused by the prolonged non-payment.
While the central government consistently releases its share of funds for Mission Vatsalya, the state government has demonstrably failed in fulfilling its responsibilities. The BJP sarcastically commented that the state government has funds for ‘poster campaigns and publicity’ regarding child rights, but not for paying the salaries of the frontline workers. The party has urged the state government to prioritize the immediate payment of pending salaries to officials and staff, moving beyond superficial publicity and focusing on the practical needs of those working on the ground for child welfare.