In a significant move aimed at rehabilitation and social integration of street children, the Maharashtra cabinet on Monday approved the implementation of 'mobile outreach unit' scheme across the state for upholding child rights in the state. The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of children living on the streets by providing them access to education, healthcare, safety, and opportunities for a better life. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. According to a government official, a total of 31 mobile outreach teams will be deployed—one each in 29 municipal corporations, and two in Mumbai city (for eastern and western suburbs respectively) under the scheme — and its scope will be widened in future. The official said that the objective of the programme is to identify street children—particularly orphans, runaways, and those in vulnerable situations—and connect them to mainstream education, health services, and government welfare schemes through targeted rehabilitation. Special child-friendly vans will be operated by select NGOs. Each van will include a four-member team comprising a counsellor, a teacher, a female staff member, and a driver. The vehicles will be fitted with GPS tracking systems and CCTV cameras to ensure safety and transparency. A social investigation report will be prepared for each child, based on which an individualized rehabilitation plan will be developed. The services will include school enrolment or admission to anganwadis depending on age, health check-ups, vaccination, nutritional support, hygiene education, medical care, and addiction counselling, if required. "Children will also be encouraged to participate in art and educational activities to aid their overall development," said the official. As part of the programme's performance benchmarks, NGOs will be mandated to ensure that at least 20 percent of the identified children are enrolled in schools every month. Funds will be disbursed on a quarterly basis, and the implementation will be monitored by district-level officials from the Department of Women and Child Development. The scheme was initially launched as a pilot project under Mission Vatsalya in six districts—Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik—where it received encouraging feedback.
