Ranchi will soon get an ‘Integrated Children Observation Home for Female’ (ICOHF) to rehabilitate the girls rescued from different parts of State and the country as well.
Addressing a gathering during ‘State level Consultation on Child Protection’ organized by Jharkhand State legal Services Authority (JHAlSA), State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Bachpan Bachao Andolan at Nyaya Sadan in Ranchi, Executive Chairman of JHAlSA and Acting Chief Justice DN Patel said that some works are being done but definitely there are lot to be done in this regard.
“Although we have been doing a lot of things for the protection of children, but still we have to go a long way and focus on some of the important issues like bringing together all stake holders by developing smooth coordination between them, ensure children friendly role by the police, develop national standards of care on child care institutions and most importantly focus on restoration and rehabilitation of children who are rescued from different parts of the State and Country as well,” said Justice Patel.
Therefore, efforts are being made to set up an Integrated Children Observation Home for Female in Ranchi for which we have demanded around 7-9 acres of land as was provided in Deoghar for the purpose, he added.
Justice Patel said that several improvements had been done in Children and Observation Homes but major problem is that most of them do not reach there while many suffer in their home.
“Today we will try to chalk out a way forward and prepare a road map about how to work more effectively in this regard. An intensive discussion will take place to protect children in a better way and also educate and rehabilitate them along with providing skill development training for generating employment tor them,” said Justice Patel. Hence this seminar is very important; if such seminars are held periodically, everyone will remain alert, he added.
Chairman of High Court legal Service Authority in Jharkhand Justice HC Mishra while expressing his views said that Jharkhand had been vulnerable to the menace of child trafficking since long and despite efforts being made by the State Government, more than 5 lakh minor children have reported to working as labourers in different fields like domestic help or rag pickers etc.
“Although laws have been enacted to protect the rights of the children and despite all legislation vulnerability of children still continues; what action needed is change in our mindset and sensitization of all stake holders for effective empowerment of law in its true spirit,” said Justice Mishra.
According to media reports, more than 5 lakh children below 18 years had been working as mechanics, domestic help, rag pickers, daily wage labourers while survey reports claimed that 2.37 women had been put in trafficking for sexual exploitation, he added.
Justice Mishra further added that thousands of children are trafficked to Delhi and adjoining states for domestic held every year and the placement agencies have been operating fearlessly in an organized way.
Newly appointed Chief Secretary Sudhir Tripathi who was also present during the programme stressed on sharp prosecution and a need of better coordination among all stake holders working in the field.
Jharkhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairperson Arti Kujur said that the results will be better if One Stop Cell was introduced to look into the matter.
Director of Bachpan Bachao Andolan Om Prakash Pal said that cases of crime against children must be reported and ensure time bound prosecution and conviction to the perpetrators. He also stressed on better coordination among different departments and stake holders working in the field.