Gurgaon: CWC gets funds for counsellors, translators

The district administration on Tuesday sanctioned funds to hire translators and counsellors for the Child Welfare Committee, Gurgaon,and also got the office internet connectivity, besides addressing the infrastructure deficiencies.

The district administration on Tuesday sanctioned funds to hire translators and counsellors for the Child Welfare Committee, Gurgaon,and also got the office internet connectivity, besides addressing the infrastructure deficiencies.

After HT report, the administration installed curtains and internet facility at the CWC office in Gurgaon on Tuesday. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo)

The action came a day after HT published a report highlighting the lack of infrastructure and facilities at the CWC office.

On the directions of additional deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh, who is also the nodal officer of the CWC, an internet connection was installed in the main office on Tuesday. Several other items, including curtains and water dispensers, were also given to the CWC on Tuesday.

“After the HT report, I held a review of the CWC on Monday and immediately sanctioned the funds. I have given directions to hire translators and women counsellors on a contract basis and they will be called in when required. The CWC members will monitor and supervise the work of the counsellors and submit a monthly report along with attendance,” Singh said.

The women counsellors will assist victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse to adjust with society and deal with difficulties in family relationships, depression, anxiety and anger.

The department has been asked to prepare a list of translators and counsellors and a team will be finalised from this list.

“We are not short of funds and I have asked the CWC to prepare a list of things required at its office. We will ensure the department gets full support from us,” Singh said.

The CWC, on average, handles cases of 30-40 children every month including 10-15 cases under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (Pocso Act). Due to lack of infrastructure and support staff, including translators for languages spoken in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal, the department was facing difficulties in interacting with victims.

The union home ministry had also asked the CWC to engage translators for interacting with children and to understand the problems they face.

“I was delighted when I reached office on Tuesday and saw the curtains fitted in the office and the internet facility provided to us. Now we will save time in sending documents to officials, including the deputy commissioner and police officials. Earlier, we used to send them by post which was time-consuming and caused delays,” said Shakuntala Dhull, chairperson, CWC.