PANJIM, FEB 2
A couple of measures have been proposed to upgrade the functioning of Apna Ghar at Merces after High Court took cognizance of newspaper reports and issued notices to the State government, and the Department of Women and Child Development.
The Department of Women and Child has proposed to computerise database of inmates to indicate their status on health and, physiological development for regular monitoring.
A scheme for juveniles is also in the offing, says an affidavit filed by Sanjeev Gadkar, Director of Women and Child Development.
The High Court had issued notices following reports in the Herald and other English dailies, highlighting ill-functioning of Apna Ghar. The reports were treated as public interest litigations (PILs).
Reports brought out how delinquent children housed at Apna Ghar are neglected, and the poor state of infrastructure.
Though Apna Ghar is an orphanage, it also houses juveniles. Currently, it has 94 inmates, of which 21 children are below six years of age, whereas 24 children are students and six juveniles are kept separately.
Two independent structures located within the campus are now being renovated for the use of Child Welfare Committee and Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), and it would be ready by end of the month, says the affidavit.
It will have a court room, chamber for presiding officer. More additional staff will also be recruited. A vocational training is being given to inmates since 2006, and more such courses will be introduced in the future, the director stated in the affidavit.
The juveniles of the observation home are also provided with technical education at Montford Vocational Training centre, Corlim.
The matter came up for hearing on Monday after which it was adjourned for a later date. Advocate Sandesh Padiyar has been appointed as amicus curiae.
