There is only one home at Mankhurd in Mumbai for the mentally challenged children abandoned by their families, a report on the condition of such homes submitted at the Bombay High Court says.
At a previous hearing, the government had filed a compliance report on earlier orders passed by the court regarding the status of the Mentally Deficient Children’s home (MDC) at Mankhurd.
The report also had the status of such homes across the state, especially after they were brought under the Social Justice Department from the Department of Women and Child Development.
The court had appointed Asha Bajpai as amicus curie to head the coordination committee for child protection, which will look into issues that need to be dealt with in respect of the MDC homes.
After an inspection of the children’s homes, Ms Bajpai submitted a report in the court on Wednesday. It pointed out that the mentally challenged children who could talk and comprehend had not been given proper names in the register.
The names end with NK (for example: Raju NK) NK stands for not know, making it difficult to trace their families. Therefore, disability certificates could not be issued and aadhaar cards and other important documents could not be made.
While basic food and shelter had been provided, education and vocational training needs of the children should be taken care of. Steps should also be taken for development and social integration of these children.
There was no MDC home for such children in Nanded, Beed, Hingoli, Parbhani and Aurangabad and just one in Mumbai, said the report.
The report suggested timely disbursal of salary funds of staff and teachers who had earlier been paid a meagre amount as per the number of children they handled.
Counsellors sought
While physiatrists are available, counsellors are required to attend on them as these kids are in need of special assistance.
Sarita Shankaran, one of the committee members, said nothing was known about the children who could not talk and all they had was a badge number, which made it difficult to trace their kin. She said basic right to identity was violated at all the homes.
A division bench of Justice VM Kanade and Justice Revati Mohite-dere was hearing a suo motu petition on the sexual exploitation of mentally challenged residents at children’s homes. The bench adjourned the hearing for two weeks.
Amicus curie report
Education and vocational training need attention
Steps for development and social integration of children
