Bhubaneswar: To ensure the rights and welfare of children in the state, a survey of orphaned children has been launched. The survey began on July 11 and is being conducted across all districts of Odisha, with Anganwadi workers going door-to-door to collect information.
The survey will continue until July 21, during which the Anganwadi workers will identify:
Children who have lost both parents,
Children who have lost their father and are living with their mother, or
Children who have lost their mother and are living with a father who is more than 40% disabled or chronically ill and unable to work.
Children and adolescents born on or before June 1, 2025, and under 18 years of age will be included in the survey.
The aim is to assess their needs and ensure appropriate care, protection, and rehabilitation plans are put in place.
Under the “Yashoda Scheme” initiated by the state government, such a survey is mandated once every four years across the entire state. In line with this, the Department of Women and Child Development has issued detailed survey guidelines for all districts to identify orphaned children.
A dedicated form has been developed at the state level, and master trainers, instructors, and all Anganwadi workers have been provided training regarding the survey procedures at the district level.
The information gathered by the Anganwadi workers will be verified by supervisors and then submitted to the District Child Protection Unit through the Child Development Project Officer.
Subsequently, the information of each child will be uploaded to the “Amari Shishu” (Our Child) portal.
A comprehensive report based on the data will then be prepared by the Odisha State Child Protection Society.