The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a final reminder to the Chief Secretary, of Odisha to submit a detailed report mentioning the possible remedial measures taken so far for proper and sufficient protection and care of children in shelter homes in the State.
Adjudicating a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy, the apex human rights panel passed the order.
The petition alleged that the inmates of Good News India Dream Centre at Beltikiri, Dhenkanal district were subjected to sexual exploitation and harassment in violation of child rights. There are 22 shelter homes in the different places of Odisha and 80 shelter homes are running without proper compliance of rules and regulations. In these shelter homes, illegal conversion of children also takes place. The petitioner sought for proper investigation of the shelter homes and stern actions against the authorities who are negligent in checking such incidents.
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Earlier acting on another petition filed by Tripathy for protection of minor SC ST girls in Government run Sevashram Schools in Odisha , the NHRC in January this year, directed the Secretaries of SC/ST Development Department, School and Mass Education Department, Women and Child Development Department and the DGP, Government of Odisha to ensure necessary action to prevent unfortunate and very distressful incidents and sexual assault on school going girls.