TNN | Nov 21, 2013, 05.01 AM IST

MADURAI: With the number ofunregistered children's homes increasing in the district, Madurai district collector L Subramanian has warned that he would be conducting surprise inspections at the homes. The collector also pointed out that as many as eight children's homes of the total 47 in the district have been functioning without registration for a long time.

Addressing media persons during an event organised to mark the end of Child Rights Protection week, which was observed in the district between November 14 and 20, the district collector said that severe action would be taken against the unregistered homes.

Citing a recent action taken by the district administration, he said that two children's homes in T Kallupatti and Nagamalai Pudukottai, respectively, were closed due lack of facilities and repeated incidence of child abuse. He also said that a special team would be constituted to conduct inspection at all homes. "Apart from checking the facilities available at the homes, special attention would be paid to check incidents of child abuse too," he said. Talking about the unregistered children's homes, Madurai district child welfare committee chairman, Jim Jesudoss said, "These eight homes did not show any interest in getting the required registration under the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection Act, 2000. The team to be constituted for inspection would consist of district social welfare officer, district child protection officer, district child welfare committee and anti-human traffic police unit." He further said, "We have already conducted inspection at a few homes. A detailed report has been submitted to the district collector. While a few homes did not have even the basic facilities, a few required improvements, whereas the conditions of the rest were much better."

Apart from inspections, the child welfare organisation would also play the role of providing counselling to parents and children to reduce child abuse rates. Last week, several events were conducted to promote the Childline 1098. Around 25,000 children were covered in our previous round, he added.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Collector-warns-against-illegal-childrens-homes/articleshow/26119554.cms