whether the Government provides grants to the Non-Governmental Organisations for setting up of orphanages for women and children across the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the grants provided for the purpose during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise; and
(c) the number of such orphanages opened/functional in the country including in Rajasthan and Maharashtra, State/UTwise?
MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Central Govt provides grants to the Non-Governmental Organisations through State Govt, under namely Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) (now “Child protection Services”), for execution of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJ Act). As per Section 2 (14) of JJ Act, a child who does not have parents and no one is willing to take care of, or whose parents have abandoned or surrendered him is included as a child in need of care and protection. And as per Section 2 (57), of JJ Act, a “Specialised Adoption Agency” (SAA) is an institution established by the State Government or by a voluntary or non-governmental organisation and recognized under section 65 by the State Govt, for housing orphans, abandoned and surrendered children, placed there by order of the Committee, for the purpose of adoption. Further as per Regulation 58 of Adoption Regulation, 2017 all Child Care Institutions (CCIs) which are not recognized as SAAs shall have linkages with CCI in the district. The primary responsibility in execution of the JJ Act lies with the State Governments. However Central Govt is executing a scheme namely Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) (now “Child protection Services”) for providing financial assistance to State Governments/UT Administrations, on sharing pattern, for execution of the Act and with the objective to create a safe and secure environment for overall development of children in need of care and protection, which includes orphan/abandoned/surrendered children. Under “Child protection Services”, financial assistance is provided to State Governments /UT Administrations for setting up and managing Child Care Institutions (CCIs) by themselves or in association with Voluntary Organisations/Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing the Swadhar Greh Scheme which targets the women victims of unfortunate circumstances who are in
need of institutional support for rehabilitation so that they could lead their life with dignity. The Scheme envisages providing shelter, food, clothing and health as well as economic and social security for the women victims of difficult circumstances which includes widows, destitute women and aged women.
Details of funds released to the State Governments/UT administration under Child Protection Services erstwhile ICPS reported by State/UTs during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise, is at Annexure-I (A).
Details of funds released under Swadhar/Swadhar Greh Scheme during last three years and current year is at Annexure-I (B).
(c) : As per the information provided by the State/UT Governments including Rajasthan and Maharashtra, as on date, the number of SAAs registered under the JJ Act, in the country which are being supported under the ICPS, is at Annexure-II (A). State/UTs including Rajasthan and Maharashtra details of number of Swadhar Greh presently functional, is at Annexure-II (B).
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