Question : Adoption of Observation-Special Homes by Corporate Houses

(a) whether it is a fact that the most of the Observation and Special homes for children in conflict with law are neglected by the local administration in the country;
(b) if so, the details of such cases including those of Uttar Pradesh brought into the notice of the Government during the last three years and the current year along with the action taken by the Government thereon;
(c) whether the Government proposes to invite the corporate houses to adopt these homes under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR);
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the private sector thereto; and
(e) the details of homes adopted by the corporate houses till date in the country, particularly in Uttar Pradesh?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI KRISHNA RAJ)

(a) &(b): The Central Government is executing Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) to implement the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJ Act), in which State Governments/UT Administrations have major role to play. The Ministry has been requesting the State Governments/UT Administrations from time to time to identify and register all CCIs under relevant provisions of JJ Act and set up functional inspection and other Committees to ensure that children in all the CCIs receive the best of care, and are not subject to any kind of abuse and neglect. As and when any such information is received, the State Governments/UT Administrations is requested to conduct inquiry under intimation to the Ministry and take corrective measures.

As reported by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the Commission had suo-moto taken cognizance of a news published in the ‘Times Nations’ dated 03.02.2015 and deputed the officials to visit Observation Home, Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) for investigating the situation, including the possible causes and factors responsible for fleeing of the inmates from the Meerut Home. It was observed that poor infrastructure and lack of adequate staff would have been reasons of children fleeing.

Another complaint received by NCPCR from Punjab was regarding escaping of four Children from Observation Home, Shimlapuri (Ludhiana), Punjab, on 03.05.2015. A report was sought from Deputy Collector, Ludhiana. The report stated that due to repair and renovation work of toilet in the building, the children could have escaped by scaling the roof along with lapses on the part of security guards. After departmental inquiry, two security guards were suspended.

Hon’ble Minister of State of the Ministry of Women and Child Development had made a surprise visit to Rajkiya Baal Sudhar Grih, Shahjanhanpur, Uttar Pradesh on 14th May, 2017, where she found irregularities and ill treatment including pathetic condition of children in the home. Also she was informed by the staff that one of child named “Ashish” is missing /escaped. Accordingly, Principal Secretary, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh has been requested to enquire and to take disciplinary action against the responsible staff.

(c) & (d): The Ministry of Women and Child Development has notified “Adopt a Home” program on 27th April, 2016 whereby under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) the corporate sector & business houses along with individual philanthropist are invited to support the children staying in the Children Homes run by the State Governments/UT Administrations and their NGO partners under the JJ Act, 2015.

(e): As per the information available with the Ministry, one children Home of Government of NCT of Delhi has been adopted by a corporate house for up-gradation. And as per information provided by Department of Women and Child, Uttar Pradesh no such Home has been adopted by corporate house till date.

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