Standard Operating Procedure for protection and care of children in street situations was released in New Delhi today. Speaking on the occasion in New Delhi, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said government is committed to the well-being of every child in India. <br/><br/>She said Standard Operating Procedure will help the Government to ensure that health education and protection mechanisms are made available to children living on the streets. <br/><br/>Earlier, the SOP was launched at a function in the presence of Delhi High Court Judge, Justice Mukta Gupta and National Commission For Protection of Child Rights, NCPCR Chairperson, Stuti Kacker.<br/><br/>Our correspondent reports NCPCR collaborated with the Civil Society Organization, CSO and Save the Children to develop the strategy for street children. <br/><br/>The Standard Operating Procedure was drafted after taking inputs from 35 NGOs as well as children who survived from the street. Children living in streets are among the most vulnerable groups as they have little or no adult supervision and protection. <br/><br/>They also do not have access to education and basic health care which exposes them to abuse, exploitation and neglect. A survey by Save the Children last year found over 84 thousand children living on the streets in Lucknow, Kolkata, Patna , Hyderabad and some other cities. By 2030, with the increase of population in urban areas, child population is also expected to increase. <br/><br/>As such, it is important to integrate the needs of children in street situations into urban policies and planning. With Sant Bahadur,