Childcare: SC seeks registration of orphanages, database of occupants
The Supreme Court has directed the Centre, states and union territories to prepare a database of children living in orphanages and other childcare institutions, which should be updated monthly and confidentiality maintained. To ensure safety and welfare of children, it asked governments to register all such institutions by 2017 end. The centre has to file a report on implementation of its directions by January'18.
Deadlines for Centre, states, UTs
States and UTs have been asked to set up inspection committees by July; the committees will have to submit reports to the respective states by December. Individual childcare plans for each child in each centre have to be drawn up; they have to be submitted by December. All vacancies in all State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights have to be filled by 2017 end.
SC focuses on de-institutionalization, advocates adoption and foster care
Asserting that every child in need of care doesn't necessarily have to be institutionalized, the SC urged consideration of alternative options, like adoption and foster care. It requested the juvenile justice committee to mull setting up a secretariat for assistance. The directions came during a hearing on a petition alleging abuse of children in Mahabalipuram orphanages.
