Chief Minister Pema Khandu has called for stronger regional cooperation and collaborative action among the Northeastern states to address emerging challenges affecting children, including trafficking, online exploitation, substance abuse, child marriage, and cross-border vulnerabilities. Addressing the inaugural session of the Northeast State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Convention in Tawang, the chief minister described the gathering as a historic milestone, marking the first time that all State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) from the Northeast have come together on a common platform dedicated exclusively to the protection and promotion of child rights. Khandu emphasized that child welfare is the true measure of good governance, and that every child deserves a safe environment, free from violence, exploitation, abuse and discrimination, along with access to education, healthcare, nutrition, and equal opportunities.
Highlighting Arunachal Pradesh’s commitment towards child welfare, Khandu outlined a series of initiatives aimed at empowering children, particularly the girl child. He informed that under the Dulari Kanya Scheme, more than 15,500 girls have benefitted from financial assistance for higher education, with the state investing over Rs 38 crore. He further noted that over 134 awareness programmes have been conducted under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative across the state.
He also informed that the state government has earmarked Rs 3.3 crore under the Girls Health & Hygiene Scheme in 2026-27 to provide sanitary napkins to more than 25,000 beneficiaries. The chief minister also stressed that child protection begins with maternal care, and highlighted several initiatives launched by the prime minister, specifically aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes. He informed that more than 38,000 beneficiaries have received support under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, while over 34,000 beneficiaries are being directly assisted through nutrition-related interventions.
Under Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, more than 1.8 lakh women and children are covered, with 152 anganwadi centres already upgraded and another 125 being developed under the ‘Adopt an Anganwadi’ initiative. He also highlighted the functioning of the 24x7 child helpline 1098, one-stop centres in all 25 districts and women helpline 181 as critical support mechanisms for children and women in distress. On strengthening the child protection ecosystem, Khandu said that under Mission Vatsalya, more than 2,500 vulnerable children are receiving sponsorship support, while 2,479 children are benefitting from monthly assistance of Rs 4,000 under sponsorship, foster care and aftercare schemes.
He expressed hope that the convention would facilitate greater exchange of best practices, stronger implementation of child protection laws, improved coordination in cases involving missing and trafficked children, and more effective responses to emerging online threats. Khandu urged the participants to move beyond discussions and translate ideas into tangible outcomes, saying that the true success of the convention would be measured not by the number of speeches delivered but by meaningful improvements in the lives of children across the region. The two-day convention is being chaired by Women & Child Development Minister Dasanglu Pul, and is being attended by various dignitaries, including home department adviser Mutchu Mithi, women & child development department adviser Tsering Lhamu, and Tawang MLA Namgey Tsering.
A Northeast SCPCR convention souvenir was also released by the chief minister and dignitaries present to mark the occasion.
