Welfare schemes initiated by the State and the Central governments for protection of female child appear to have bore little fruit in Krishna district where “illegal adoption” and “sale” of girl child continues to be rampant.
“Sale of female infants is high in Krishna district. Almost one or two cases are being registered every month and the problem is rampant in both urban and rural areas,” said an NGO representative, actively engaged in convincing parents against sale or ‘illegal adoption’ of infants.
Two such cases were reported during the ongoing Janmabhoomi programmes held at Kandriga and A. Konduru areas in the district. Surprisingly in one case, the parents surprised the officials, police and the people who attended the meeting arguing that they had every right on their child.
“The Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) and Anganwadi teachers and workers along with the NGOs and social workers are visiting villages and are trying to prevent sale of babies,” said Women Development and Child Welfare Krishna District Project Director K. Krishna Kumari.
Recently, a baby was given for illegal adoption to a couple in a village in Gampalagudem mandal and the ICDS staff and Anganwadi workers rescued the two-month-old baby, Tiruvuru CDPO M. Ankamamba told The Hindu.
Even as the officials are probing the case, a similar incident was reported at Kandriga area in Vijayawada. A few days ago, another case was registered under Nunna Rural police station limits and the officials are holding discussions with the elders on the issue, said Anganwadi teacher M. Sujatha.
“Similar cases are reported in the tribal pockets in the district. We are conducting various programmes to create awareness among the villagers on the welfare schemes being implemented for girl child,” said Ms. Krishna Kumari.
