MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement referred to in reply to part (a) to (e) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 296 for answer on 31.08.2012 raised by Shri Kamal Kishor “Commando†and Kumari Saroj Pandey regarding Schemes for Women and Children
(a) to (c): Keeping in view the condition of orphans, street/destitute children and widow, divorcee and single women, the Government, in the Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing following schemes, through State Governments/UT Administrations/voluntary organisations for their rehabilitation:
(i) Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS): Under ICPS financial assistance is provided to State Governments/UT Administrations inter-alia for setting up and maintenance of Homes, Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs) and Open Shelters for children for children in difficult circumstances, including orphans, street/destitute children. Under this scheme free shelter, food, medical care, counselling, education, vocational training, recreational facilities etc. are being provided to the beneficiaries for their rehabilitation and social reintegration. The scheme also provides for family based non-institutional care through adoption, sponsorship and foster-care. Besides, to identify the needs of vulnerable children as well as plan and implement services for them, the scheme provides for setting up of dedicated service delivery structures at State and district levels. During 2011-12, financial assistance to 802 various types of Homes, 196 SAAs and 121 Open Shelters were provided. The State-wise and Year-wise financial assistance provided to State Governments/UT Administrations during the last three years under ICPS is at Annex-I.
(ii) Swadhar & Short Stay Home Schemes: These two shelter based schemes provide emergency outreach services to women in difficult circumstances who do not have societal/family support or independent means of income. Under these schemes free shelter, food, medical care, counselling etc. are being provided to the beneficiaries. Presently, 311 Swadhar Home and 353 Short Stay Homes are being run by various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) across the country. The State-wise and year-wise funds released under these Schemes to the implementing agencies during the last three years are at Annex-II.
(d) & (e): Some instances of abuse/exploitation, including sexual abuse/harassment of children and women in Homes have been reported in the recent past to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and this Ministry. In case of children, the concerned State Governments/District Administrations have been asked to take remedial measures. Two Swadhar homes have been closed in the recent past and one NGO has been blacklisted.
Further, to ensure that children in all the Homes receive the best of care, and are not subject to abuse and neglect, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has been strongly urging the State Governments/UT Administrations from time to time to identify and register all Child Care Institutions under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 and set up monitoring mechanisms, including inspection committees at State and District levels, as mandated under the Act and Model Rules made thereunder.
