Panaji (Goa): The very controversial shelter-cum-remand home for juveniles Apna Ghar – infamous for escapes of inmates and brawls – suffers serious crisis. According to the annual report 2016 released by the Goa State Commission for Child Rights, funds to repatriate children, lack of professional as well as trained teachers and counselors, and most importantly hygiene are some of many issues at the state-run home.
As per the report that released today, 15 girls and 17 boys are admitted under child welfare committee (CWC) while six boys are under Juvenile Justice Board (JJB). In addition 3 toddlers are also kept in girls section in a separate room, out of 6 boys in observation home, youngest is 14 years old and oldest is 18 years old.
The report stated that there is no separate counselor for children in conflict with law, who are admitted under JJB and suggested a full time counselor each for boys and girls. “Senior counselors, both male and female are required. Counseling is currently being done by the interns and the social worker,” reads the 90-page report that also covered various issues in the State concerning children.
The commission members also observed that there is no segregation of children in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection. Similarly, there is no care plan for the children in conflict with law. “Although inmates want to learn something, activities are not conducted, as nothing is planned for them. The craft teacher also conducts classes in tailoring for the girls 3 times a week, but the boys do not have any activity. Zumba and Yoga classes were conducted for two months and according to the counselor the children were very happy but presently these were discontinued,” the report further states adding, “The construction of the new building is complete and it has separate blocks for children in need of care and protection, and for children in conflict with law but these are not yet utilized. According to the matron some internal work is pending and they will start to move the children to the new building.”
The report has also claimed that drawing and craft work is taught by the interns even as children require additional games and physical and educational activities.
During an interaction with the inmates, the commission members came across several expressing their willingness to go back home, but lack of funds has compelled the authorities to keep them housed here. “Funds have not been received and the children in need of care and protection have therefore not been repatriated despite the paperwork cleared. They expressed that they would like to go home,” the report states.
On the hygiene front, the commission warned of health risk as during the inspection the members found that the kitchen and dining tables were not clean, and the wet waste lies discarded outside the rear entrance of the kitchen area. Moreover, the report states, children do not have filtered water and they are drinking tap water which can be exposed to water borne infections. “The dry garbage is burnt nearby this is a major health hazard for the children due to the smoke. The mattresses are torn and washed plates were found in the wash basin,” it adds.
