12,000 children may become homeless following closure of orphanages

Kottayam: About 375 orphanages in the state are staring at closure, as the deadline for registering orphanages under the Juvenile Justice Act has ended. As per the Supreme Court order, 31 March was the last date set for their registration.

Out of the 1,165 orphanages functioning in Kerala, only 790 had submitted request for registration with the District Child Welfare Councils. Earlier 165 orhanages had stopped functioning pleading that they could not run them in compliance with stringent regulations of law. 103 out of 150 institutions in Ernakulam District, and 85 out of 131 centes in Malappuram have applied for registration anew. Thiruvananthauram has 94 and Kozhikode 48 of such applicants.

The court order demanded closure of those not registered. Some institutions have filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the new regulations which is expected to be heard on 10 April. Pending the court order on this case, the Women-Child Welfare department is planning to issue closure notice to the centres not approved. Children in the orphanages so closed will be transferred to other centres, and children who are not willing for that will be sent back home. It is estimated that with the closure of such centres, more than 12,000 children will become homeless.

Earlier 516 orphanages had informed the Orphanage Control Board that they would not be able to continue fulfilling the conditions of the new rules. Following this, the Board convened a meeting of officials of such centre where they explained that the orphanages should first get themselves registered as per SC orders, and infra-structures would be inspected only later. In response to this, a section of orphanages also got registered.

The orphanage bodies point out that the new regulations contain stringent conditions including employees, teachers, caretakers, doctor, and psychologist all in proportion to the number of inmates, which would cause huge financial burden to the charitable bodies. In addition, new buildings and facilities would also have to be got ready. The regulations also provide for fine of one lac rupees for violations. It was such conditions that forced them to close the orphanages. They are said to contemplate converting their facilities into hostels.