The nodal organisation for protection of Child Rights – Jharkhand State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (JSCPCR) has marked as many as 35 functional shelter homes across the State as substandard.
The commission in its report submitted to the State government in mid September had pointed out that quite a number of shelter homes meant for children in need of care and protection are shoddy. JSCPCR in collaboration with the district administration team of all the 24 districts here has inspected the status of shelter homes.
Abiding by the instructions of the State government, the supervisory body – JSCPCR has prepared the final draft after scrutinising the conditions of around 130 shelter homes operating within urban vicinity including those functional in remote areas of the State. The report prepared in one month will be brought into public domain soon.
“Our finding suggests that over 35 shelter homes meant for children are of inferior quality with no basic amenities available there. During the inspection conducted in the month of August, all norms prescribed in Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act – Form 46 was followed by the team to compile a report about a shelter home condition. From its registration to its maintenance including its co-ordination with the district administration in nurturing the future of kids’ were taken into consideration,” said JSCPCR Chairperson Aarti Kujur.
Kujur further added that Ranchi district has substandard shelter homes for children in maximum number. “The condition of each district is more or less similar when it comes to operation and maintenance of shelter homes yet the State Capital has a significant number of shelter homes for children, lacking all basic amenities. Considering the environment at the substandard shelter homes, soon the decision of its closure will be finalised. Following the legal technicalities, three-month tenure is given to a few shelter homes that though have been marked as substandard but have the scope of improvement,” she added.
Also, the JSCPCR Chairperson said similar things about the adobes in operation at a Khunti, Jamtara from where the cases of atrocities against the children are rampant. Kujur and her team in its recommendations has suggested to the State government to establish proper rehabilitation centres before closing the substandard shelter homes for the children.
Chief Minister Raghubar Das in July 2018 had ordered an inclusive investigation into the functioning of shelter homes and non-government organisations (NGOs) working for child welfare in the State. The decision was considered after a Missionaries of Charity (MC) run shelter home in Ranchi was found to be allegedly selling newborns for adoption.
Das then had issued the order at a meeting called to review the functioning of shelter homes amid complaints that trafficking and selling of children were rampant in Jharkhand. The CM had directed the officials of JSCPCR at the meeting to work in coordination with district child welfare committees and probe the functioning of the shelter homes and submit a report by August 15.
“Take stern action against the NGOs, if irregularities are found in their works or some suspicious activities is reported from there,” Das was quoted while issuing the instructions.
A previous record of JSCPCR suggested that there are 50 shelter homes operating in the State, 10 are government-run observation homes, 15 are State adoption agencies whereas NGOs run 25 shelter homes.