Unregistered homes hand over 35 girls

Coimbatore:After an official crackdown on unregistered homes in Coimbatore, the orphanages which failed to fall in line with norms, have begun to surrender girl students sheltered with them to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). At least 30 unregistered homes continue to function in Coimbatore district even two months after two minor girls were raped in the unsafe, unregistered Tamil Evnagelical Lutheran Church home at Pollachi on the night of June 11.

Following the government's intensive drive against unregistered homes, four homes including the ill-fated Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church (TELC) home in Pollachi were shut down and one orphanage even volunteered to close down on its own. Now, the unregistered homes which are unable to comply with the safety norms laid down by the government are now threatening to surrender the inmates, especially the girl children. Two homes have already surrendered 35 girls to the Child Welfare Committee.

“The orphanages are hesitant to shelter girls due to safety concerns and they are unable to meet the prescribed safety standards. A city based home has surrendered 15 girls while another on the outskirts has sent away 20 girls. As these girls hail from poor families, most of their parents may not afford to educate them,” said G Vijaya, Coimbatore District Child Protection Officer.

The official refused to divulge the details of the homes that surrendered the girls. However, the two orphanages have assured to take the girl children back shortly after constructing a new building. “After explaining the difficulties that a child may face once out of the orphanages, the two homes have promised to improve facilities in their homes,” she said.

The CWC officials have sent some of the students with parents, while the remaining girls are sheltered in other homes. Moreover, the Directorate of Social Defense department has issued circulars asking the department officials here in Coimbatore to form a monitoring committee to conduct routine inspections in orphanages.

“The monitoring committee includes officials from District Social Welfare Committee and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS). Inspections should be carried out every month in orphanages to ensure that they adhere to rules and regulations,” she said.

Of the total 70 existing homes, only 31 homes are registered, while eight homes have applied for registrations, which is in progress. “Though we are asking the homes to get themselves registered quickly, the homes claim that they face undue delay in obtaining no objection certificates from various departments. I will make an appeal to the collector to advise various government departments to speed up the process of issuing certificates,” Vijaya said.