Kaski to crack down on illegally-run children homes
Kaski to crack down on illegally-run children homes
SANTOSH POKHAREL
POKHARA, April 27: The Kaski district administration has said it will take action against illegally-run children homes
[orphanages] in the district.
A children home can operate only after getting permission from the Central Children Welfare Committee (CCWC) on the recommendation of the district administration and district children welfare committee. But nine out of the 56 operating children homes here have not received such permission.
Child Development Project, Children Home, New Garden Hostel, New Hostel, Seventh Day Adventist, Hamro Bal Griha, Punhill Kids Hostel, Shanti Balgriha and Heavens of Hope Children Home have been operating in the district without permission.
“We have instructed the children homes to take permission. We will take action against them if they don´t oblige,” said Chief District Officer (CDO) and President of District Children Welfare Committee Shambhu Koirala.
“We may close them forever and shift the children staying there to other homes,” CDO Koirala added and admitted that illegal homes thrived due to poor monitoring by the administration.
Around 90 children live in these nine illegally-run children homes while about 1,000 stay in the legal ones. A children home must have ability to keep at least 10 kids for three years and a minimum bank balance of Rs 1 million to do so, the keep boys and girls have to be kept separately, it should have at least four employees and should clearly state the objective of opening it as per the minimum standard set seven years ago.
“Those who cannot meet the standards cannot operate. Many operators have made children homes a means of earning money and hence have to be harshly dealt with,” Child Rights Officer at the Kaski District Children Welfare Committee Bharat Raj Baral said.
The operators of a few illegal homes, on the other hand, claim they have not been able to get permission due to delay caused by CCWC.
“It has been six months since we applied at the CCWC for permission but they have yet to respond. The district administration sends us back saying they have yet to get CCWC nod,” says Prem Raj Dahal, the operator of Hamro Bal Griha that started eight months ago and has seven children.