Mumbai: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed that all encroachments on the properties of The Children’s Aid Society located across Mumbai city should be removed immediately. After clearing the encroachments, the properties should be protected and an integrated redevelopment plan should be implemented. He gave these directions during the meeting of the Society’s Governing Board held at the Vidhan Bhavan. The Chief Minister also directed that the Society’s centenary celebrations should be held at the redeveloped premises.
Minister for Women and Child Development Aditi Tatkare and Mayor Ritu Tawde were present at the meeting. During the meeting, approval was granted for introducing a Welding Certificate Course at the Society’s Industrial Training Institute.
Directing that a revised proposal be submitted to grant government status to The Children’s Aid Society, Chief Minister Fadnavis said that after the proposal is submitted, it should be examined through the Law and Judiciary Department. A revised organisational structure should be prepared, with a comprehensive review of all posts. The creation of posts should take into consideration child protection, rehabilitation, education and related aspects. A proposal should be immediately submitted to the Skill Development Department for recognition of the Society’s Industrial Training Institute as an examination centre. The examination centre will be approved through the Skill Development Department.
Chief Minister Fadnavis said that an integrated complex named ‘Ahilya Bhavan’ should be constructed on the site of the staff residential buildings within the premises of the David Sassoon Industrial School at Matunga to house the offices of the Women and Child Development Department. On the Society’s land at Borla, all encroachments except those made prior to 2011 should be removed. After clearing the encroachments, the redevelopment should be completed expeditiously.
Chief Minister Fadnavis also said that after removing the encroachments, land should be allotted at the site for the government office located in the Anushaktinagar Assembly Constituency. Approval was also granted to relocate the sports complex at Mankhurd to the land that will be freed from encroachments.
There is an A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Home for Children with Disabilities at Mankhurd. The building of this children’s home should be upgraded into a well-equipped facility with all necessary amenities. The Chief Minister also directed that the layout plan of Bal Kalyan Nagari at Mankhurd be included in the revised integrated master plan and the proposal be submitted accordingly.
Secretary, Women and Child Development Department, Dr. Anupkumar Yadav made a presentation. Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) O. P. Gupta, Mumbai Suburban District Collector Saurabh Katiyar, Chairman of The Children’s Aid Society Milind Talaskar, Chief Officer Pravin Bhavsar and others were present on the occasion.
*Brief Information about The Children’s Aid Society*
The Children’s Aid Society was established in Mumbai in 1927. Under the Society, seven child-related institutions are functioning in Mumbai city. These include the David Sassoon Industrial School, Observation Home and Children’s Home at Umerkhadi, Chembur Children’s Home, New Children’s Home at Mankhurd, Additional Children’s Home, Bal Kalyan Nagari and the Home for Children with Disabilities.
