TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: Apna Ghar will be subjected to major infrastructural changes in tune with recommendations made by Levinson Martins in his report, which inquired into issue of frequent escapes and alleged illegalities occurring at the controversial state run home.
The renovation, carried out by PWD is estimated to cost around Rs 27 lakh and would be completed by July 15.
Fixing new stronger doors, renovating the damaged walls, toilets, with separate dormitories for boys and girls are being given final touches. The PWD has also ensured that window grills in the boys dormitory are stronger than those that existed previously so that the delinquents cannot escape from the premises.
“Two buildings comprising eight units are undergoing renovation. Work on six units is complete and while two units are yet to be completed. The renovation of boys’ toilet and dormitory has been complete,” said an executive engineer.
Martins’ inquiry into the frequent delinquent escapes from the shelter had recommended criminal action against the staffers, who felicitated these custody-breaks and laid stress on improving infrastructure.
The report investigated how the children were smuggled out of the custody and let loose to commit crime.
The children, as per the inquiry, were picked up by local gangster Zenito Cardozo from Apna Ghar in a car and were used to commit offences such as robbery.
In order to provide proper rehabilitation, the report recommended that children in conflict with the law and boys in need of care and protection be kept in separate buildings. Also the location of the two buildings should be such that children do not interact with each other. Moreover, the girls and boys should be lodged separately.
It is also learnt that a separate structure for mentally unstable and volatile children will be constructed in the same premise.
Two buildings comprising eight units are undergoing renovation. Work on six units is complete and while two units are yet to be completed, said an executive engineer
