Weekly inspections to be conducted in homes for destitute children, NGOs

After deciding to come up with stringent adoption laws, the state child development department on Wednesday has chalked out a plan to conduct weekly inspections in Non-Governmental Organisations and destitute children’s home.

The state child development minister Sashi Panja held a meeting with the top brass of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Wednesday to put an end to the menace of the trafficking of children.

It is learnt that from now on, policemen from local police stations and local civic authorities will be visiting the NGOs in their respective areas every week. They will be maintaining a record on the functioning of the NGOs. A report will also be prepared by the police and the local civic body that has to be forwarded to the child development department. Immediate steps would be taken against the NGO if any irregularities are found.

Members of the Child Welfare Committee will be visiting the homes for destitute children. They will also be preparing reports stating condition of the inmates of the homes. In case any irregularities are found, they would be taking immediate steps and at the same time report to the department.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has also raised its concern over the incidents of trafficking newborn children. Rupa Kapoor, member of NCPCR, held a meeting with the District Magistrate, senior police officers and officials of child development department at Barasat in North 24 Parganas. She gave her suggestions and urged for immediate steps to check incidents of child trafficking.

She also visited Sohan Nursing Home and Sujit Dutta Memorial Trust.

The racket of newborn children trafficking came to light after a couple had lodged a complaint against Sohan Nursing Home at Baduria in North 24 Parganas.

They alleged that the authorities of the health care centre had claimed that the mother had given birth to a stillborn child and later sold the child with the help of Sujit Dutta memorial trust at Maslandapur.

Kapoor suggested that there should be regular inspection in nursing homes, NGOs and homes for destitute children. There should be information on the birth of stillborn children.