Question : Orphanages

the number of orphanages presently functioning, the criteria/norms adopted for their opening along with the funds provided to such orphanages during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;
b) whether the Government proposes to set up more orphanages in the country and attaching every Government run orphanage to a voluntary organization for its proper monitoring and maintenance and if so, the details thereof;
c) whether the incidents of running of children from orphanages have been reported during the said period, if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon;
d) whether the Government has taken note of pathetic condition and lack of basic facilities/infrastructure in such orphanages and if so, the details thereof;
e) whether the exploitation and abuse of children in rampant in such orphanages, if so, the details of complaints received in this regard during the said period, State/UT-wise and the action taken thereon; and
f) the further measures taken by the Government to improve infrastructure in orphanages and check exploitation and abuse of children therein?

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

(a) There are 1193 Children Homes and 313 Specialized Adoption Agencies (SAAs) in the country which are being funded under the centrally sponsored Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) being run by the Ministry. The State/UT wise details are at Annexure-I. The details of funds provided to States/UTs under ICPS including funds for Children Homes including Specialized Adoption Agencies (SAAs) during each of the last three years and the current year is at Annexure-II.

Any organization willing to provide institutional services for children in need of care and protection, is required to make an application to the State/UT Government, along with a copy of rules, by laws, memorandum of association, list of governing

body, office bearers, balance sheet of past three years, statement of past record of social or public service provided by the institution or organisation. The State/UT Government after verifying the provisions made in the institution/organisation for the care and protection of children, health, education, boarding and lodging facilities, if any, vocational facilities and scope of rehabilitation, can issue a registration certificate to the organisation as per the provision of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000.

(b): The setting up of Children Homes including 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. There is no proposal to attach every Government run Children’s Home including Specialized Adoption Agencies to Voluntary Organizations.

(c): The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has reported that it has registered 13 complaints of running away of children from different Child Care Institutions during the last three years and the current year 2015-16. NCPCR is further perusing with the authorities concerned on these cases.

(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, 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 including 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): NCPCR has registered 71 complaints/cases concerning child abuse/sexual exploitation/torture/ill-treatment/disappearance/running away of children/lack of residential facilities and other regularities committed in Child Care Institutions (CCIs) including Children Homes and SAAs during the last three years and current year 2015-16. The State/UT-wise details along with the action taken, are given in Annexure-III.¬¬¬¬¬
(f): The Ministry of Women and Child Development has been requesting the State Governments/UT Administrations from time to time to identify and register all Children’s Homes including SAAs under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (JJ Act) in order to ensure that children in all the Homes receive the best of care, and are not subject to abuse and neglect.
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