Question : Observation-Special Homes

(a) the details of observation/special homes being run by the Government for the children in conflict with law, State/UTwise along with facilities/amenities provided therein;
(b) whether the Government has taken note of shortage of such homes and lack of basic facilities/amenities/ infrastructure in such homes and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto indicating the study/survey, if any, conducted in this regard and the outcome thereof;
(c) the funds allocated/released and utilised for running/maintenance and modernisation of such homes during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;
(d) the details of proposals received from States/UTs for construction of such homes during the said period along with the action taken thereon and the funds provided for the purpose, State/UT-wise; and
(e) the further measures taken by the Government for monitoring the implementation of Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and facilitate the conducive environment in such homes for rehabilitation of juveniles therein?

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

(a): The number of Observation and Special Homes presently functioning in the country, State/UT-wise being supported under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) is at Annexure-I. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJ Act) and Central Model Rules, 2016 framed thereunder provides for monitoring, inspections, standards of care and measures that may be taken by the State Governments/UT Administration to improve the condition of these homes. 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.

(b): Under the ICPS funds are provided to the State Governments/UT Administrations for setting up and managing homes of various types including Observation and Special Homes. The setting up of Homes 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. The PAB also deliberates on issues related to infrastructure and basic facilities during their interaction with States/UTs. Further, the review of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) under the JJ Act, 2000/2015 has been undertaken by this Ministry.

(c): The details of funds sanctioned, released and utilized by the State Governments/UT Administrations under ICPS including funds to run Observation and Special Homes during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise is at Annexure-II.

(d): The details of funds provided to States/UTs for construction of Observation and Special Homes during the said period is at Annexure-III.

(e): The primary responsibility of effective functioning of the CCIs including homes for children in conflict with law vests with the State Governments/ UT Administrations concerned, the Government of India has recently enacted the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, (JJ Act) which has come into effect from 15th January, 2016 repealing the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. The Ministry has been requesting the State Governments/UT Administrations from time to time to identify and register all CCIs under relevant provisions of JJ Act and set up functional inspection and other Committees to ensure that children in all the CCIs receive the best of care, and are not subject to any kind of abuse and neglect.

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