Child Line -1098, a toll-free service for kids in distress

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 27

The Child Line-1098, a toll free service, has been started by the Union Women and Child Welfare Department and is being run by Swami Ganga Nand Bhoori Wale International Foundation Dham, Talwandi Khurd, for the betterment of children in age group of 0-18 years and works 24 hours.

A quarterly meeting in this regard was chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Amrit Singh, in which several issues related to Child Line-1098, such as requirements, problems being faced by staff, etc, were discussed.

Kuldeep Singh Mann, Director, Child Line, Ludhiana, said Child Line-1098 is a toll free helpline service, where any person or any needy child can give information about an abandoned child. He said the Child Line immediately swings into action and provides relief to the child. He said the children who cannot open up about any problem in front of others can use this helpline. He said any homeless, missing, absconding and beggars children can contact at the helpline for help.

Amrit Singh said the District Administration was committed to strengthen the Child Line-1098 and the organisers would be provided with all facilities. She also directed all officials present in the meeting to provide full support for Child Line-1098 so that maximum number of children in need are provided help. She assured that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) would be set up in all concerned departments so that every person knows about his/her responsibilities. She said District Education Officer would be directed to install 1098 boards in all schools and on April 7, 2020, film titled “Komal”, which educates children about good touch, bad touch.

‘Guard children from any sort of exploitation’

Mandi Ahmedgarh: An oath was taken in response to a call made by officials of Women and Child Development Department and the Ludhiana Agricultural Department during a seminar held at Phallewal village near here today. Speakers called upon leaders of various organisations to ensure that no child was exploited physically or mentally in their respective areas. — OC