*October 17th, 2010* Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Saturday set up a five-member coordination committee to monitor functioning of the orphanages in the state following reports of death of children at one of the homes. A similar committee was set up at the instance of the court in 1993 as well, but it ceased to function after few years.
The court was prompted to set up a new committee amid reports of death of five children at a privately-run orphanage in Kavdas, Thane, due to malnutrition. Two girls at the orphanage were found to have been sexually abused too. They have been now shifted to government- run KEM hospital here. The five-member committee will be headed by Professor Asha Bajpai of Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Besides, there would be sub-committees in each of seven administrative divisions of the state. After newspapers reported the death of children at Kavadas, the court turned the reports into a PIL. Bajpai was appointed as amicus curie, to assist the court. Bajpai today said that there was a shortage of care- homes for mentally challenged children in the state. Besides, the existing orphanages also lack basic facilities, she said. The division bench comprising Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice D Y Chandrachud was shocked to hear that some sick children were found to be lying on floor during Bajpai's visit at the state-run care home in suburban Mankhurd. Presently, Maharashtra has 29 orphanages for mentally challenged children -- most of which are run by NGOs. These orphanages receive a grant of Rs 1,140 per child. The Court observed that this amount is not sufficient if an orphanage wanted to provide the standard of living as required by rules under the Juvenile Justice Act. The chief justice was surprised to read that under the rules, every child must get five sets of shirts a year. "Even I did not have that when I was in college," he said. "These norms are so ideal even child living with a family won't get these (facilities)," he added. The court directed the state to consider revising the grant upwards and take necessary steps to provide counselling facilities at the orphanages. The next hearing on the matter will take place on October 26. http://www.zeenews.com/news661824.html -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
