Children homes face dearth of ICPS fund
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 24 2013: Children homes across the State are now facing serious problems in running their day-to-day affairs due to non-release of funds under Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) .

According to sources, three children homes at Dewlahland in Imphal East; Tera and Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai in Imphal West receive financial assistance under ICPS, which is being implemented by State Social Welfare Department as a centrally-sponsored scheme from the year 2010.However, funds under the scheme have not been released since 2012 .

As a result, these Children Homes are in financial crisis today and not able to run their day-to-day affairs owing to non-release of funds.

It may be noted that a financial assistance of Rs.750 per month to each inmate in these children homes is provided under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) .

Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao in this connection, an administrative member of Dewlahland Children Home said that the children home is run by Mahila Kalyan Samiti, which was registered in 1966.The Samiti started the children home in the year 1971-72.About 34 inmates in the age group of 6 to 18 years are currently sheltered in the home.

The inmates have been selected by Child Welfare Committee.

The member further said that the children home began to receive monthly financial assistance of Rs.750 per inmate under ICPS from 2010-11.Prior to this scheme, State Social Welfare Dept provided a monthly financial assistance of only Rs.270 per inmate.

The non-release of funds has been a major issue in running the children home.

The members of Mahila Kalyan Samiti often contribute money for maintaining the home.

The inmates of the children home are also sent to private schools.

They are being provided quality education as per Right to Education Act.

Some of the past inmates of the home have even got government jobs.

The Samiti is striving to bring up the children to the best level, but non-release of funds is a stumbling block in the functioning of children home, the member added.

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