ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

Juvenile homes to be scrapped, inmates to be entrusted with NGOs

The Centre plans to direct state governments to release all inmates of juvenile homes so that they can be brought up by dedicated non-governmental organisations.

The Union welfare ministry has asked the Tata Institute of Social Sciences to study this proposal so that 90 per cent of the juveniles, who are orphans and vagabonds, can be released immediately.

The other 10 per cent, considered delinquents, could be dealt with under the Juvenile Justice Act.

Deputy Secretary of Welfare Ministry A P Singh disclosed these details at a three-day national workshop on street children which concluded in Patna on April 19. The workshop was jointly organised by UNICEF, National NGO Forum and the welfare ministry.

The 11 million-odd street children in India were found to have a ''strong survival instinct'' and could surpass normal children in all fields if given adequate facilities like shelter, food and education. This has been proved in the NGO-managed juvenile homes of Madras, Bangalore and Delhi, Singh said.

"The street kids are put in juvenile homes once the police catch them from bus-stands and railway stations. They could succeed in life if their inner potential is harnessed and put on the groove," he said.

The welfare ministry had earlier proposed to the Union industries ministry to direct industry houses to adopt juvenile homes under 'Adopt A Home Scheme'. The ministry is expected to hold a meeting with state governments on this aspect shortly.

The Centre also proposes to undertake city-level surveys to determine the number of destitute and neglected children. Further, it would document the existing facilities for them at the government and non-government levels. Setting up 24-hour assistance booths for children, and patrolling by social workers in bus stands, railway stations and other public places to bring in stray and vagabond kids are other measures that are being contemplated.

The Centre has also asked the Bangalore-based National Law School to review the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, 1986.

Singh said the staff of homes with all facilities, found so after a survey and gradation, could be given additional pay and incentives. The 50 per cent grant being given to state governments for running juvenile homes could be stopped and the amount utilised for organising orientation programmes for staff through the National Institute of Social Defence for bettering performance and imparting a humane approach, he said.

A meeting is scheduled in May to iron out the difficulties in implementing the Juvenile Justice Act.

More thrust is being given for enrolling street children in schools. This would wean them away from the world of crime, Singh said. The modalities were being worked out through NGOs and public schools in Delhi.

The ninth five year plan accorded top priority to street children, particularly to those of destitutes, and neglected ones. Singh regretted that the Bihar government has not taken any measure to enforce the scheme.

The Centre also proposed to register a national forum under the Societies Registration Act with branches at all places where the scheme for the welfare of street children was operational. The forum would comprise representatives of NGOs and state and local bodies.

Delhi-based UNICEF programme officer Gerry Pinto favoured the emergence of a national movement for the street children's welfare as against a loose network of NGOs in the country.

There was a need for forging the NGOs into alliances with state governments and local bodies, besides police, the judiciary and media, for strengthening the movement and preventing children from being engaged in hazardous labour and crime.

UNI

EARLIER REPORT:
Police lockups, beatings and torture... that's life for Indian street children

Tell us what you think of this report