NATIONAL POLICY

AND LEGISLATION
IN RELATION TO
CHILD HEALTH AND
WELFARE
 The Government
of India adopted a National
Policy for children in
August 1974.
THE POLICY DECLARES……
“ It shall be the policy of the state
to provide adequate services to
children,both before and after
birth and through the period of
growth, to ensure their full
physical,mental and social
development. The state shall
Progressively increase the
scope of such services so
that,within a reasonable
time,all children in the
country enjoy optimum
conditions for their balanced
growth.”
According to the declaration,the
development of children has
been considered as integral part
of national development.The
policy recognizes children as the
“Nation’s supremely important
asset” and declares that the
 nation is responsible for their
“Nurture and solicitude”. It also
emphasizes the priorities of
children’s program and special
focus on child health,child
nutrition and welfare of the
handicapped and destitute
children.
 A number of programs
were introduced by the
Govt.of India,after the
declaration of national policy
for children.The important
programs are:
 ICDS Scheme
 Programs of supplementary
feeding
 Nutrition education
 Production of Nutritious food
 Welfare of handicappped
children
 National
children’s fund
 CSSM programs.
THE PRINCIPLES OF INDIA’S NATIONAL
POLICY FOR CHILDREN ARE:
1. A comprehensive health program
for all children and provision of
nutrition services for children.
2. Provision of health care,nutrition
and nutrition education for
expectant and nursing mothers.
3.Free and compulsory education
up to the age of 14 years,informal
education for preschoolers and
efforts to reduce wastage and
stagnation in schools.
4.Out of school education for those
Not having access to formal
education.
5.Promotion of
games,recreation and
extracurricular activities in
schools and community
centers.
6.Special programs for children
from weaker sections.
7.Facilities for education,training
and rehabilitation for children in
distress.
8.Protection against
neglect,cruelty
And exploitation.
9.Banning of employment in
hazardous occupations and in
heavy work for children.
10.Special
treatment,education,rehabilita
tion
and care of physically
handicapped,emotionally
disturbed or mentally retarded
children.
11.Priority for the protection
and relief of children in times
of
national distress and calamity.
12.Special programs to encourage
talented and gifted
children,particularly from the
weaker sections.
13.Paramount consideration in all
relevant laws is the “Interests of
children”.
14.Strengthening family ties to
enable children to grow
within the family,
neighborhood and community
environment.
THE CHILDREN ACT
The Children Act 1960 in
India,provides for the care
maintenance,welfare,training,educati
on and rehabilitation of the deliquent
child. It covers the
neglected,destitute,socially
handicapped,uncontrollable,victimis
ed and deliquent children.
THE JUVENILE JUSTICE
ACT,1986
It provides a
comprehensive scheme for
care,protection,treatment,deve
lopment and rehabilitation of
deliquent juveniles.
Other important acts for child
welfare are:
1.The child labour Act 1986
2.The Child Marriage Restaint Act
1978
3.The Hindu Adoptions and
Maintenance Act 1956.
THANK YOU