A recent social audit brings forward the pathology of the shelter homes for children in the country where merely 54 out of the 2,874 shelter homes can be given a positive review.
The New Leam Staff
Shelter homes across India have been under public criticism specially in the context of the Muzaffarpur Balika Grih which was found to be involved in the sexual exploitation of inmates who were all little girl. It disheartening to see that homes that are meant to take care of children, give them a good future and ensure that they grow up in suitable ambiances themselves become grounds for their perpetual misery.
A new audit has once again brought forward the pathology of shelter homes in India. The report has revealed that only 54 from the 2,874 homes for children across India can be given a positive review.
The audit was carried out by the National Commission for the Protection of Children’s Rights, the audit was brought to the purview of the SC and it will be seeing into the matter. The NCPCR carried out the audit of child care institutions and other bodies across the country looking after children such as specialised homes, shelters, observation homes, special homes, places of safety, specialised adoption agencies under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
It found out that from the 185 shelter homes audited across the country, only 19 had control of all the records children that they were required to maintain. Of the 203 special adoption agencies, only eight had positive reviews; 16% of the 172 observation homes which were audited till July 31, 2018, had the required records of the children.
The Supreme Court has brought to the attention of the states the pathetic condition of the shelter homes and asked them to initiate urgent measures. The report reveals how children are neglected in the nation and how this negligence has made the innocent children in shelter homes the sufferers. It is time to take this matter with utmost sincerity and transform the way shelter homes operate.
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