Question : Facilities-Amenities in Orphanages

(a) the number of orphan/destitute/ neglected/street children along with the number of orphanages/licensed orphanages presently functioning in the country, State/ UT-wise;
(b) the details of schemes being implemented for rehabilitation/reintegration of such children including educational facilities to them along with the funds provided and children benefited thereunder during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;
(c) whether the Government proposes to set up more orphanages in the country and if so, the details and the criteria thereof indicating the proposals received and approved in this regard during the said period, State/UT-wise;
(d) whether the Government has taken note of the pathetic condition and lack of basic facilities/infrastructure in such orphanages and if so, the details thereof;
(e) the corrective measures taken and funds provided in this regard along with mechanism put in place to regulate/ supervise such orphanages for provision of basic facilities/infrastructure including hygiene, education and health of orphans living there; and
(f) whether the Government has also reviewed these schemes in the recent past, if so, the details and the outcome thereof?

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

(a) &(b): The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, namely, Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) through State Governments/UT Administrations with the objective to create a safe and secure environment for overall development of children in need of care and protection, including orphan/destitute/neglected/street children. ICPS provides for setting up of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) including homes of various types viz. Children Homes, Specialized Adoption Agencies (SAAs) for providing care and rehabilitation services to children in need of care and protection. The programmes and activities at these CCIs inter-alia include age-appropriate education, access to vocational training, recreation, health care,

counselling etc. There are 1149 Children Homes and 287 SAAs in the country which are being funded under the ICPS. The State/UT wise details are at Annexure-I. The details of funds provided to States/UTs under ICPS and children benefited thereunder during each of the last three years and the current year is at Annexure-II. The data regarding the number of orphan/destitute/neglected/street children in the country is not maintained centrally.

(c): The setting up of Children Homes and SAAs are decided by the inter- ministerial Project Approval Board (PAB) constituted under ICPS to consider and approve the financial proposals received from the State Governments/UT Administrations, on the basis of need assessment carried out and requirement projected in the respective proposals.

(d): To improve the quality of services in Homes and maintain the standards of care stipulated in the Central Model Rules under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 which has come into effect from 15.01.2016 repealing the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, the Ministry of Women and Child Development is providing financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations for setting up, upgradation and maintenance of various types of Children Homes and SAAs under the ICPS. The Rules inter-alia specify standards for physical infrastructure, clothing, bedding, nutrition & diet, as well as rehabilitation measures such as education, vocational training, counselling etc. The State Governments/UT Administrations are required to ensure, through regular inspection and monitoring, that the institutions are run as per the provisions of the Act and the Rules framed there-under.

(e): The Ministry of Women and Child Development has requested the State Governments/UT Administrations from time to time to identify and register all Children’s Homes including SAAs under the relevant provisions of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000/2015 (JJ Act) in order to ensure that children in all the Homes receive the best care. Under ICPS funds are provided to the States/UTs for effective implementation of JJ Act. The details of funds provided to States/UTs under ICPS during each of the last three years and the current year is at Annexure-II.

(f): Under ICPS the financial norms were revised with effect from 1st April, 2014. Some of the key features of the revised Scheme are increased maintenance grant for children in homes from existing Rs.750 to Rs.2000 per child per month; enhanced cost of construction from existing provision of Rs.600 per sq. feet to Rs.1000 per sq. feet and flexibility in the staffing pattern in service delivery structures, depending on the size and need of the States/UT Administration.

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