Of the 200 wards in the city, only two have established ward-level child protection committees. However, officials in the Department of Children Welfare and Special Services have said that they are working with the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to form urban ward-level panels soon.
According to a government order issued by the Social Welfare Department last year, such committees were to be formed in all urban local bodies, including town panchayats, municipalities and corporations, to ensure children’s safety. The committees are meant to step up vigilance with the help of authorities for promoting a child-friendly environment. They aim at reducing school dropouts and preventing child labour, among others.
