The Times of India:New Delhi:Friday, February 24, 2012.
One-fifth of the total number of children living in Delhi's shelters is either missing or untraceable. At a time when there is increased scrutiny on children in need of care and protection, the data collected through RTI has revealed that 1,807 children have gone missing from 26 shelter homes in the last four years.
A report based on an RTI filed by Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) - an NGO working on child rights and trafficking- says that the total number of children living in Delhi's homes between 2006 and 2010 were about 10,600. Statistics for the period show that total average children residing per year in these homes are 2, 650. About 1807 children missing from 2006-07 to 2009-10 which is nearing one-fifth of the total number of children residing in these children homes. Of these 57 children have returned but by the authorities admission 1,750 children are still at large that is 97% of the total missing children.
BBA had asked for information on capacity of these homes and the average children staying, missing or dead for the period 2006-2010.
BBA national secretary Rakesh Senger described the statistics as shocking adding that the maximum number of children was missing from a non-statutory institution Prayas in Jehangirpuri. About 807, or 45% of the total missing children were from Prayas while Children Homes for Boys-1 in Alipur, accounted for 169 (9.5% of the total missing) children missing, which is the highest among the statutory institution.
"There is no trace of these children and even the authorities concerned have no idea about where the children are. It raises a question regarding the efficiency and seriousness of the services being provided by these institutions," Senger said.
According to the information provided by Delhi government, the total number of children, who died in the four years stood at 29. Of these, 28 children were from a single home - Bal Nirikshan Grih, Nirmal Chhaya complex on Jail Road.
And it is not the lack of funds that is causing deaths or children to escape from what have become hell holes. By the state government's own admission the state has allocated nearly Rs 3,000 per child per month that should be sufficient for adequate care and protection.
BBA had sought details of the budget of these homes but only 15 out of 26 institutions furnished the details of their total expenditure for the financial year 2007-2008. The total expenditure during the financial year 2007-08 is Rs 50881,904 for 15 children homes. The total average stay of children in these 15 children homes during 2007-08 is 1,467. This gives average expenditure per child in the financial year 2007-08 as Rs. 34,684. It means per month expenditure per child is approximately Rs 3,000, which is sufficient enough for a child to get better facilities and infrastructure in the homes. Despite this, these homes are in dilapidated condition, which makes one think that whether the children are staying there for better life or bitter life.
A report based on an RTI filed by Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) - an NGO working on child rights and trafficking- says that the total number of children living in Delhi's homes between 2006 and 2010 were about 10,600. Statistics for the period show that total average children residing per year in these homes are 2, 650. About 1807 children missing from 2006-07 to 2009-10 which is nearing one-fifth of the total number of children residing in these children homes. Of these 57 children have returned but by the authorities admission 1,750 children are still at large that is 97% of the total missing children.
BBA had asked for information on capacity of these homes and the average children staying, missing or dead for the period 2006-2010.
BBA national secretary Rakesh Senger described the statistics as shocking adding that the maximum number of children was missing from a non-statutory institution Prayas in Jehangirpuri. About 807, or 45% of the total missing children were from Prayas while Children Homes for Boys-1 in Alipur, accounted for 169 (9.5% of the total missing) children missing, which is the highest among the statutory institution.
"There is no trace of these children and even the authorities concerned have no idea about where the children are. It raises a question regarding the efficiency and seriousness of the services being provided by these institutions," Senger said.
According to the information provided by Delhi government, the total number of children, who died in the four years stood at 29. Of these, 28 children were from a single home - Bal Nirikshan Grih, Nirmal Chhaya complex on Jail Road.
And it is not the lack of funds that is causing deaths or children to escape from what have become hell holes. By the state government's own admission the state has allocated nearly Rs 3,000 per child per month that should be sufficient for adequate care and protection.
BBA had sought details of the budget of these homes but only 15 out of 26 institutions furnished the details of their total expenditure for the financial year 2007-2008. The total expenditure during the financial year 2007-08 is Rs 50881,904 for 15 children homes. The total average stay of children in these 15 children homes during 2007-08 is 1,467. This gives average expenditure per child in the financial year 2007-08 as Rs. 34,684. It means per month expenditure per child is approximately Rs 3,000, which is sufficient enough for a child to get better facilities and infrastructure in the homes. Despite this, these homes are in dilapidated condition, which makes one think that whether the children are staying there for better life or bitter life.
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