With protection of children becoming an important issue in the wake of the Nithari killings, an Integrated Child Protection Scheme is being launched, for which the Union Budget announced on Wednesday earmarks Rs 85.5 crore (Rs 855 million).

The funds for child welfare on the whole have been increased to Rs 5053.33 crore (Rs 50.53 billion) from last year's Rs 4255.51 crore (Rs 42.55 billion).

The scheme is being launched by the ministry of women and child development to address the issue of child protection and build a protective environment for children through government-civil society partnership.

In addition to the Budget provision of Rs 85.5 crore, an amount of Rs 9.50 crore (Rs 95 million) will be provided for implementing the scheme in the Northeastern states.

A conditional cash transfer scheme for the girl child with insurance cover is also being introduced during the current financial year as a Central pilot project with a view to eliminating discrimination against girls, for which a budgetary provision of Rs 13.50 crore (Rs 135 million) has been made.

Cash transfer will be provided to the family of the girl child, preferably the mother, only fulfilling certain conditions such as birth and registration of the child, immunisation, enrolment to school and delaying the marriage age beyond 18 years.

The government plans to expand the Integrated Child Development Services to cover all habitations during the 11th Plan. Hence, the allocation for ICDS has been increased to Rs 4,761 crore (Rs 47.61 billion) from last year's Rs 4,087 crore (Rs 40.87 billion).