A helpdesk “Sehyog Helpdesk for children and women was inaugurated in Katra to provide emergency service to children and women in distress.
SDM Abishekh Sharma inaugurated the facility in the presence of District child protection officer Dr. Gulshan Kumar and Tehsildar Katra Anil Charak.
The helpdesk has been established by Child protection services in collaboration with Childline.
The purpose of the helpdesk is to make Katra free from Child Begging and Child labour and to provide emergency response and protection to child and women in need, rescue and counsel the children and women.
Any complaint related to child right violation can also be reported to the helpdesk. The helpdesk will also act as a watchdog and will keep a vigil on child labour, child begging and other crimes and atrocities committed against women and children.
As Katra is a pilgrimage destination with a huge tourist footfall, some groups have started using the children for their personal gains by making them beg near Busstand and other similar busy areas. These groups have also used children as labour by making them sell their products in busy areas of Katra.
This Helpdesk will keep a vigil on illegal activities and put an end by establishing liaison with other departments like police, shrine board, municipality and revenue officials and providing shelter to children in distress.
Moreover, at the helpdesk and in and around Katra, childline and women helpline numbers (1098 and 181) will also be displayed.
