Unlicensed children’s home regulation fails

They say SCPCR, which is responsible for the care and protection of destitute children and children in distress, remains ignorant about facilities in the homes and does not track the unrecognised homes of voluntary organisations.

Several unlicensed homes, including 16 in Kancheepuram and three in Chennai city, were closed in the last six months. More than 40 homes were identified as unlicensed homes in Coimbatore district this year. But the commission has not bothered to come out with any measures to put an end to unlicensed homes.

Social activist A. Narayanan, who has filed many PILs with the Madras high court against violations in children’s homes, said SCPCR is a failure in Tamil Nadu. “The child rights commission in Kerala and Karnataka are functioning in a full-fledged manner and addressing grievances of children without delay.

In the case of SCPCR in Tamil Nadu, the commission has not taken any initiative to protect child rights. Abuses and deaths of children in government and voluntary care homes are reported often. But SCPCR seems to have stayed away from taking any measures to safeguard children,” he said. He pointed out that money allotted by the government for SCPCR is underutilised.

When contacted, SCPCR chairperson Saraswathy Rangasamy said, “We have just started working on various issues connected with children. As of now, we do not have any documentation of unlicensed homes in the state. We have sent reminders to all the district authorities to send details on violations in children’s homes.”

About underutilisation of funds, she said, “No fund has been allotted this year for the commission.” However, the policy note of the social welfare department reveals that the commission has been allotted '37.38 lakh for 2014-15 financial year.