National Policy for Children
The Government has adopted a new National Policy for Children, 2013 on 26th April, 2013. The Policy recognises every person below the age of eighteen years as a child and covers all children within the territory and jurisdiction of the country. It recognizes that a multisectoral and multidimensional approach is necessary to secure the rights of children. The Policy has identified four key priority areas: survival, health and nutrition; education and development; protection and participation, for focused attention. As children’s needs are multi-sectoral, interconnected and require collective action, the Policy calls for purposeful convergence and coordination across different sectors and levels of governance.
Based on the new National Policy for Children, 2013 adopted on 26th April, 2013, the Ministry developed a Draft National Plan of Action for Children (NPAC). The Plan of Action has been drafted keeping in view the existing schemes/programmes of various ministries. The purpose is to track and monitor the progress of what is already being done for children across Ministries and sectors.
The draft NPAC was circulated to all the key Ministries/Departments working for children, Institutions and all the State Governments and UT Administrations for comments and suggestions. The comments from all concerned have since been received. The draft NPAC is to be revised according to comments received from various Ministries/Departments and the National Coordination and Action Group (NCAG) for Children to monitor the Progress of the implementation of the Policy is to be formed.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi in a written reply to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha today.
NB/NK/PB