Itanagar, Jul 31 (PTI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday called for stronger regional cooperation among North Eastern states to address emerging threats facing children, including human trafficking, online exploitation, substance abuse, child marriage, and cross-border vulnerabilities.
Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day North East State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (NE SCPCR) Convention 2026 here, Khandu described the gathering as a historic milestone, marking the first time child rights bodies from all eight northeastern states have assembled on a unified platform, an official statement from CMO said.
Stressing that child welfare is the true benchmark of good governance, the chief minister said the success of any government cannot be measured solely by economic growth or infrastructure development, but by how effectively it safeguards its most vulnerable citizens.
Highlighting Arunachal Pradesh’s welfare initiatives, Khandu said over 15,500 girls have benefited from higher education financial assistance under the ‘Dulari Kanya’ Scheme with an investment exceeding Rs 38 crore. He added that Rs 3.3 crore has been earmarked under the Girls Health & Hygiene Scheme for 2026-27 to support more than 25,000 beneficiaries.
On maternal and child health, Khandu said that over 38,000 women have received support under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, while Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 cover more than 1.8 lakh women and children. Under Mission Vatsalya, over 2,500 vulnerable children receive sponsorship, with 2,479 beneficiaries getting monthly financial assistance of Rs 4,000. He also cited round-the-clock support mechanisms including Child Helpline 1098, Women Helpline 181, and One Stop Centres across all 25 districts.
Stating that issues like trafficking and digital exploitation cross state borders, Khandu urged civil society, families, educational institutions, and law enforcement agencies to work in tandem, urging delegates to translate convention deliberations into tangible outcomes for the region’s children.
A commemorative NE SCPCR Convention Souvenir was also released during the event.
The convention is being chaired by Arunachal Pradesh Women & Child Development Minister Dasanglu Pul. Also present were Home Advisor Mutchu Mithi, WCD Advisor Tsering Lhamu and Tawang MLA Namgey Tsering. PTI CORR RG
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