The Governor of Punjab and President of the Child Welfare Council, Punjab, Sh. V. P. Singh Badnore has stressed upon the need to take immediate necessary steps to improve the growth and over-all development of children all across the state.Presiding over a state-level meeting of the general body of the Child Welfare Council, Punjab, the Governor has directed the officers of the Council to streamline the existing projects and initiate new programmes for ensuring well-being of children in Punjab. The Governor also felt the need to strengthen the NGOs by giving them enough opportunities to help the state government in eradicating the evils against children.Sh. Badnore also expressed concern over the health deteriorating of children and wanted the health authorities to take appropriate steps to undertake medical check-up of children suffering from various diseases. He has directed the health officers to ensure periodic health checkups including the dental checkups of school going children.Deficiency of mal-nutrition, anemia, dental, skin and eye problems must be checked on priority and asked the authorities to ensure a balanced diet, rich in iron, vitamins and minerals to the children especially in rural areas.The Governor also appreciated the liberal approach of the Punjab Government in extending financial assistance to the State Child Development Council. He has also asked the concerned officers of the Council to keep a close watch on the ongoing and newly initiated programmes to ensure their proper implementation.
Earlier Dr. BNS Walia former Director PGI and currently the Chairman of the Child Welfare Council Punjab while giving an overall view of the activities being undertaken by the Council said that children are the assets and the future of our nation and it is our collective responsibility to identify and develop their potential through well orchestrated child care programmes. He said that the problem of child care is a global one and the council has initiated series of programmes for the welfare of the children. He asked the district level officers to help the council in getting these programmes properly implemented in the interest of the children. Besides Mrs. Alka Singh, Lady Governor and also the Vice President of the State Child Welfare Council, Dr. Pritam Kaur Secretary, deputy commissioners of about 9 districts attended today's meeting along with Mr. M.P. Singh, Additional Chief Secretary to Governor, Mr. S.K. Sandhu, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab, Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Punjab, Mrs. Anjali Bhawra, Principal Secretary Health, senior officers of the departments of Punjab Government, State Red Cross Society, other senior officers and life members of the Child Welfare Council.