Social welfare institutions not registered under DWCW - Shakunthala

Social welfare institutions not registered under DWCW - Shakunthala

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, April 10: A number of social welfare institutions, orphanages, and children’s homes in the district have failed to register with the Department of Women and Child Welfare (DWCW) under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.

Speaking on the occasion, DWCW Deputy Director Shakuntala said that getting the actual number of such institutions within the district is very difficult. The task is usually assigned to anganwadi workers who face a number of challenges while performing it. Regarding the Haleyangadi case, she said that the caretakers had specifically informed the anganwadi workers who had gone there for survey that there wasn’t anybody else in the house except their family. However, the department found that 29 children were kept in the Ebenezer prayer hall in Haleyangadi without the required documents, she said.

Shakunthala said that she immediately sent a memo to the anganwadi worker in that area, who replied that the caretakers refused to open the gate and said that there were no children there. She said that this makes it very difficult for the department to assess the number of child care institutions in the district.

Rene D’Souza, former CWC member, said that many are not aware of the act and many more do not want to be constantly monitored by the DWCW. He added that many feel that it is enough to get registered under the Orphanages and Charity Home Act.

The Bishop of Mangalore Diocese has send a communication to all institutions with ashrams and orphanages to register under the DWCW immediately to avoid being accused of child trafficking.

Shakunthala said that properly registered institutions can get grants of up to Rs. 300 per child if declared to be a legal institute. She said that the DWCW checks such institutions for proper infrastructure and quality of food, adding that Lancelot Pinto’s orphanage had excellent infrastructure and could be run well if registered properly.