The State government has given shape to a new fund for the benefit of the children who need special care and protection.
The scheme named Juvenile Justice Fund has been devised in response to a demand made in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015. Playback singer K.S. Chitra will be the ambassador of the JJ Fund, which will be inaugurated at a children’s festival to be held in Thiruvananthapuram from January 22. The government mooted the fund considering the enthusiasm being displayed by philanthropists across the State in helping children.
Contributions to the JJ Fund will be accepted from individuals, organisations, and corporate bodies. Several corporates have offered portions of their CSR (corporate social responsibility) funds to the new venture.
The Woman and Child Development Department is implementing the JJ Fund under its Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) with public support. Officials said the JJ Fund would go a long way in ensuring social justice for not only the children who were deprived but also the children who needed special care and protection. “This fund aims to convert the State into a child-friendly one,” they said.
The beneficiaries of the JJ Fund will include inmates of children’s homes, homeless children, street children engaged in beggary and child labour, children of indigent parents, child victims of sexual abuse and other crimes, child victims of natural disasters, victims of child marriage, victims of child trafficking, transgender children, and children of SC/ST and fishermen colonies.
The fund will be used directly and indirectly to ensure social justice for children. “Such a fund can be of great advantage, especially in cases of emergencies where usual government sanction may take time. JJ Fund can be used for children’s cause without waiting for the files to be sanctioned,” said Malappuram District Probationary Officer Sameer Machingal.
Donors to get IT exemption
The donors to the JJ Fund will get Income Tax exemption. Funds could be sent to Director, Woman and Child Development Department, Thiruvananthapuram, by way of demand draft (DD), bank cheque or money order. Donations could also be transferred electronically to State Bank of India (SBI) Vikas Bhavan branch (Account No. 57044156669, IFSC Code: SBIN 0070415).
