Ukhrul children homes in pathetic state: CWC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 01 2014: As per the latest inspection report of the concerned Child Welfare Committee (CWC), children homes in Ukhrul district are in a state of dismay for want of help and support.

According to a press release issued by the CWC Ukhrul district, the findings of the inspection indicated that as many as 83 percent of the children homes are devoid of any support from the Government and are being sustained by own contributions and donations from individuals.

It was found that there were shortage of necessary facilities such as dormitory, furniture, toilet and trained staff in these homes; 50 percent were without basic infrastructural amenities such as power supply, water pipeline connection, and presentable building.

It was also revealed that none of the children homes had administered periodical health check up nor conducted regular counselling sessions in the past.

Among the six children homes none of them are run and managed by the State Government or have been recognised by the state Social Welfare Department as non-governmental organisations, and thus remain ineligible against any form of assistance/scheme under the department, the CWC said.

Besides, 67 percent are yet to be registered under the Juvenile Justice Act.

It was also found that five out of six homes are for both boys and girls, and one exclusively for boys.

None of the homes are for girls.

At least Ukhrul district deserves one government run home especially for girls given that situation of widespread child trafficking cases at the moment, the statement underlined.

Of the 176 inmates, 58.52 percent are in the age group of 7-11 years; sex ratio is overwhelmingly dominated by males; 50.56 percent are on the breadline; and while 30 percent has either father or mother alive, 17.61 percent have lost both parents; and 1.13 percent is HIV infected; and 75.57 percent do not receive government support.

Thus, it is quite observable that poverty is the main reason of these children's stay in the homes, the CWC noted.

The main factor responsible for the poor functioning of children homes in Ukhrul district is undeniably attributed to lack of funds.

Absence of periodical inspection and social auditing in the part of government are also other important aspects, it observed.

Financial support to the deprived homes; formation of district level inspection committee inclusive of government representatives and community stakeholders; and proper monitoring mechanism and evaluation schedule as per sub-section 1 of section 35 and section 36 of the Juvenile Justice Act are of pressing needs to bring about improvement in the functioning/better quality of services of the children homes, the CWC statement added.

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