ARC NGO & CWC Convergence Meeting Minutes 30.03.2023

Minutes of the Convergence Meeting

between Child Welfare Committee, Pune (1 & 2)

and ARC member organizations from Pune

Date: 30/03/2023

Mode: Online

Attendees: Members of CWC 1 & 2, MSCPS Representative, Sumitra Ashtikar, ARC NGO Members

Summary of Discussion -

• NGO representatives shared the challenges faced in availing the Bal Sangopan Scheme benefits. Forms are not available; Applicants are told to visit different offices; Status of submitted forms is not known, etc.
• It was discussed and informed that there is no specific format for Bal Sangopan Scheme.  Applications can be submitted on plain paper. CWC can accept the applications and forward them to appropriate authority for further processing.
• Status of Bal Sangopan applications is available with CWC. When CWC forwards any application, it means it is recommended by the CWC. Further follow up can be done with the DWCD office.
• ARC offered to conduct an online survey of pending applications by NGOs or parents. Information will be collected about the number of applications and stages where applications are stuck, i.e. at CWC level or beyond. ARC will  prepare and circulate a Google form for this.

• Two child marriage cases were reported by NGOs during the last month - one from Vadgaon Sheri and another from Sahkarnagar area.
• In the Vadgaon Sheri case, the child was produced before CWC and then handed over to the parents after a written commitment that they will not marry her off until completion of 18 years. However, the NGO feels that the parents may take the child to their native place for marriage; hence more regular and rigorous follow up is required. This case will be discussed again in the next convergence meeting.
• The Sahakarnagar case was not reported to the CWC by the Police Station despite written notification by ARC 15 days ago. CWC will follow up with the concerned Police Station and check the whereabouts of the girl child.
• It was suggested that the Bharosa Cell / SJPU representatives from Pune Police Commissionerate should be invited to the Convergence meeting from next month.
• It is observed that a lot of new joinees in the Police department are not fully aware of the laws and procedures related to child protection. A training or meeting of Police personnel with the CWC members is recommended. It was decided that the training or meeting will be proposed to the Police Commissioner office by the CWC members. ARC can facilitate the programme with the help of member organizations.

• It was informed by the CWC members that some of the children produced before the committee have mentioned about working somewhere before they were found or rescued by the police or Childline. There are chances that the employers or establishments where these children were working might have employed other child labour as well. It is important to report these cases to the Labour Department for further investigation and necessary action against the employers.
• CWC members are requested to attend the monthly meeting of District Task Force against Child Labour. ARC will request the Labour Department to invite CWC in the next meeting.
• NCPCR has issued certain guidelines with reference to the children in street situation. The policy and guidelines need to be studied and discussed further. Both CWC and ARC members will follow up on this point.

• It was suggested that the Child Care Institutions in Pune should participate in the convergence meeting. CWC will share the contact list of CCI's and will also inform them about the next meeting.
• Child protection policy and mechanisms in the CCI's need to be reviewed and strengthened. Particularly, a complaint or feedback mechanism is missing or unused in most cases. Children have reported about punishment in the form of not sending them to school, which is a serious concern.
• CWC members informed that they have already taken action against defaulting CCI's by issuing show cause notice and initiating enquiry.
• ARC member organizations offered to provide training support to CCI staff, wherever needed, especially on Child Protection Policy and important provisions and procedures under Juvenile Justice Act and other relevant laws.

• CWC members thanked ARC and HCNF for providing counselling support on a regular basis. A separate counselling section has also been renovated in the CWC premises at Yerwada, which can be used by any of the organizations for conducting counselling and other activities with the children.
• CWC members mentioned that support is required in preparing Social Investigation Report (SIR), especially in rural areas. ARC members can help on a case to case basis, as per availability of resources in that area. Such cases can be discussed and shared in the monthly convergence meeting.

• It was suggested that this convergence meeting should be held every month to discuss child protection issues and last Thursday of every month was proposed for this meeting.
• Next convergence meeting is proposed to be held on 27th of April 2023.