A severe breakdown in Jharkhand’s Mission Vatsalya initiative has drawn sharp condemnation from the state’s BJP unit. This federally sponsored scheme is crucial for ensuring the protection, well-being, and rights of children, aiming to nurture a healthy, safe, and happy upbringing and unlock their full potential in line with global Sustainable Development Goals. It is implemented under the frameworks of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, and the POCSO Act, 2012. Alarmingly, the program has been entirely inactive in Jharkhand for the last twelve months.
BJP leaders have voiced serious concerns, describing the state government’s treatment of Mission Vatsalya personnel as exploitative. The very individuals responsible for providing justice and safety to vulnerable children are reportedly left without their own financial security. Across the state, Chairpersons and members of CWCs, JJB members, support staff including computer operators, social workers, outreach coordinators, accountants, and shelter home employees have gone unpaid for a full year. This prolonged salary delay has pushed many into significant financial hardship, with some facing overwhelming debt. The crisis is so acute that medical care has become unaffordable for some. One case highlighted involves an accountant, Santosh Kashyap, who is currently hospitalized due to the severe mental strain caused by the ongoing salary crisis.
The BJP points out that the central government promptly releases its allocated funds for Mission Vatsalya. However, the state government has apparently failed to disburse these funds or fulfill its financial obligations. They criticized the government’s focus on public relations, stating, ‘The state government has money for promotional activities and making noise about child rights, but not for paying the salaries of the dedicated staff.’ The opposition party is demanding that the state government immediately clear all outstanding salaries for its child rights protection personnel, emphasizing the need for concrete action over mere public displays.