Mumbai, July 12 (PTI) The Maharashtra government on Wednesday launched six squads tasked with rescuing street children in Mumbai and helping them rehabilitate under a pilot project.

State Women and Child Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha said the squads will be equipped with a van, a caretaker, a counsellor and a teacher.

Also Read | Supreme Court Concerned over Lakhs of Devotees Visiting Temple in Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, Sets Up Panel to Find Solution.

“These six squads will be mobile and visit various areas in Mumbai. They will work for rescuing street children, counselling them and admitting them to NGOs or local schools. They will ensure that these children get a good meal and help in their rehabilitation,” Lodha told reporters.

He said the government wants to bring the vagabond and street children into the mainstream and ensure they get a good education.

Also Read | West Bengal Poll Violence: CM Mamata Banerjee Announces Compensation for Victims.

"The women and child development department has sanctioned Rs 72 lakh for this pilot project which will be operational for six months. This project will be expanded to other cities later," the minister added.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)