Child Protection Committees (CPC)A CPC is a community based group including duty-bearers who are primarily responsible for creating and promoting a child- friendly and safe community environment wherein all children’s well- being, safety and rights are protected.
The ICPS mentions formation of Block, Ward and Village level CPCs. (point 6.5 and point 6.6 page 73, revised ICPS).
Roles and Responsibilities of CPCsThe need for restructuring the existing VCPCs as per ICPS was felt by SCPS, West Bengal. Accordingly, a consultative process was initiated in June 2013. Unicef and Save the Children facilitated the process of framing guidelines for constituting CPCs and leading NGOs like CINI, JPISC, Prajaak, Jabala and others actively participated in it.
The Guidelines for the formation and strengthening of CPCs was launched by the Department of Child Development, Women Development and Social Welfare on 17.07.14. The said Guidelines were modified on 03.08.15.
Village level Child Protection Committees (VLCPC) : The village level Child Protection committees will be established in each village (Gram Samsad) of State for prevention, reporting, monitoring, protection and responding on the issues of child right and protection. The VLCPC will be a community based organisation formed by the participation of community member, children, Government functionaries and elected representatives. A total of six (6) seats will be reserved for female members including one girl as children representative
Block Level Child Protection Committee (BLCPC) : BLCPC will consist of Block Welfare Officer, Sabhapati Panchayat Samiti (CP), Representative of District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) (Nominated by District Magistrate) Chairperson of VLCPC- Pradhan (Head of Panchayat)-all, Block Education Officer (as decided by BDO), CWPO of local Police Station, PLV to be nominated by DLSA, Nari –O- Shishu Kalyan Karmadhyaksha/ Secretary of Karmadhyaksha /BWO may be considered
Ward Level Child Protection Committee (WLCPC) : Borough Chairman/Municipality Chairman will be a Special Invitee and members will include Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC), CWPO of local P.S and DLSA nominee. At least four (4) seats will be reserved for female members including one girl as children representative.
Member of DCPU, DSWO, SP, DM and SCPS can participate during the meeting of WLCPC
Milestones regarding CPCs in West Bengal| S No | District | Total Number of Blocks | BLCPCs formed | Total Number of Wards | WLCPCs formed | Total Number of Samsads | Number of VLCPCs formed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ALIPURDUAR* | 6 | 6 | 20 | 20 | 998 | 929 |
| 2 | BANKURA* | 22 | 22 | 58 | 34 | 2504 | 2297 |
| 3 | BIRBHUM* | 19 | 19 | 101 | 101 | 2243 | 2243 |
| 4 | PASCHIMBURDWAN* | 8 | 8 | 149 | 0 | 833 | 521 |
| 5 | PURBA BURDWAN* | 23 | 23 | 119 | 83 | 3232 | 2701 |
| 6 | COOCHBEHAR* | 12 | 12 | 80 | 80 | 1714 | 1612 |
| 7 | DAKSHIN DINAJPUR* | 8 | 8 | 57 | 39 | 981 | 978 |
| 8 | DARJEELING* | 9 | 9 | 108 | 63 | 1168 | 1135 |
| 9 | HOWRAH | 14 | 14 | 98 | 16 | 2431 | 1132 |
| 10 | HOOGHLY* | 18 | 18 | 305 | 305 | 3029 | 3029 |
| 11 | JALPAIGURI* | 7 | 7 | 56 | 56 | 1349 | 1229 |
| 12 | JHARGRAM | 8 | 8 | 17 | 0 | 806 | 381 |
| 13 | KOLKATA* | 0 | 0 | 144 | 144 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | KALIMPONG | 3 | 3 | 23 | 0 | 298 | 298 |
| 15 | MALDA* | 15 | 15 | 48 | 24 | 2279 | 2279 |
| 16 | MURSHIDABAD* | 26 | 26 | 136 | 125 | 4245 | 4056 |
| 17 | NADIA* | 17 | 17 | 208 | 175 | 3205 | 2455 |
| 18 | NORTH 24 PARGANAS | 22 | 22 | 678 | 670 | 3555 | 3555 |
| 19 | PASCHIM MEDINIPUR* | 21 | 21 | 120 | 111 | 3034 | 3025 |
| 20 | PURBA MEDINIPUR | 25 | 25 | 98 | 98 | 3318 | 3318 |
| 21 | PURULIA* | 20 | 20 | 47 | 47 | 1911 | 1908 |
| 22 | SOUTH 24 PARGANAS* | 29 | 29 | 152 | 40 | 4882 | 3909 |
| 23 | UTTAR DINAJPUR* | 9 | 9 | 77 | 77 | 1631 | 1631 |
| 341 | 341 | 2899 | 2308 | 49646 | 43692 |
