Question : ORPHANAGES

(a) the details of the eligibility criteria to receive financial assistance to run orphanages;

(b) the details of the shared of the Union and State Government in running the orphanages;

(c) the details of the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) working for the welfare of orphans/ destitute/neglected/street children in the country, State-wise;

(d) the funds sanctioned, released and utilized by the State Governments/NGOs during each of the last three years and the current year State-wise;

(e) whether the Government has received complaints regarding misappropriation of funds by NGOs meant for the aforesaid purposes; and

(f) if so, the details thereof, State-wise along with the action taken by the Government thereon?

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

(a): Orphanages can be set up under one of the three Acts, namely, Women’s and Children Institution (Licensing) Act,1956; Orphanages and Other Charitable Homes (Supervision and Control) Act, 1960; and Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (JJ Act). The Government, in the Ministry of Women and Child Development is providing financial assistance, under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), to State Governments/UT Administrations for setting up and maintenance of Homes and Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs) under the JJ Act for children in need of care and protection, including orphans. The Model Rules, 2007 framed under the JJ Act, lay down minimum standards of care for children in the institutions, including standards for physical infrastructure, clothing, bedding, nutrition & diet, as well as rehabilitation measures such as education, vocational training, counselling etc.

The proposals for release of grants to Homes and SAAs, which are run as per the provisions of the JJ Act and the Rules there-under, are required to be examined and cleared by a Project Sanctioning Committee set up under ICPS and headed by the concerned Secretary of the State Government, before these are recommended for financial assistance under the Scheme.

(b): The ratio of sharing of funds between Central Government in the Ministry of Women and Child Development, State Government and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) for setting up of and maintenance of such Homes and SAAs is at Annex-I.

(c): The State/UT-wise details of the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) provided financial assistance through State Governments/UT Administration for the welfare of orphans/destitute/neglected/street children under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) during the year 2011-12 are at Annex-II.

(d): The State/UT-wise details of funds sanctioned and released to the State Governments/UT Administrations and Childline India Foundation under ICPS during each of the last three years and the current year is at Annex-III. The funds sanctioned and released are generally utilised, however, the unspent balance, if any, is adjusted from the eligible grant for the subsequent year.

(e) & (f): One complaint against a Non-Governmental Organisation working in West Bengal has been received in the Ministry. The Government of West Bengal has been requested to enquire into the allegation made against the organisation and furnish a report in this regard.