An increase in the number of calls from 1,500 per month in 2001 to 18,000 in 2010 and conversion into a call centre are the highlights of Childline, a 24x7 toll-free helpline for children in distress.

The report was presented at a meeting of the City Advisory Board, pointing out the achievements of Childline during this period and also the challenges ahead. The advisory board consists of various branches of government administration and NGOs and is an advisory body to the helpline.

Reading out the report, Anuradha Saharabuddhe, director of Dnyanadevi-Childine, said that among other things, low salaries to Childline workers continues to be an issue. "The new call centres have staff who are paid Rs 10,000 per month for attending calls while Childline team members get just Rs 4,000, as per the recommendation of the Childline India Foundation. Besides attending to calls, Childline workers take the risk of intervention and the challenge of outreach. This is something that needs to be rectified," she said......Click for more

Source Web Page: Times of India