A ‘children’s power house’ has come up at the Collectorate here.
It has been set up by the district child protection office at the main entrance of the Collectorate with the objective of creating an awareness about child rights among the common public.
Rohini R. Bhajibhakare, District Collector, inaugurated the new facility on Monday.
The power house has the looks of a park with lush greenery and play equipments such as sea-saw, swing, and toy cars.
A large number of children accompanying their parents who had come to present petitions at the weekly public grievances redress day, made a bee-line to the park immediately after its inauguration. The children vied with each other in trying their hand in every equipment, watched by their parents.
Besides the play area, there is a facility for children to try their hands at painting too.
The children can visit the library too by entering the power house.
Ms. Bhajibhakare said that an awareness will be created on child marriage, violence against children, literacy, child labour, and sexual abuse through this centre.
The complaints received on these will be accorded priority and will be solved with the joint efforts of all departments concerned.
A suggestion box has also been kept at the power house to enable children to post their suggestions.
The power house will function from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and two staff have been posted to take care of the children.
She asked parents to help the administration convert Salem into a child-friendly district.
Selvam, District Child Welfare Officer, and other officials were present.
Later, the Collector handed over ₹ 5.26 lakh sanctioned by district child protection office to 41 children belonging to weaker sections who had lost their parents, who were affected by serious diseases for continuing their education.
The District Collector unveiled boards explaining the rules for adoption.
