Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 18: Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo and National Conference member Shehnaz Ganai virtually clashed in the Upper House of the Legislature today on the issue of sexual exploitation of the mentally retarded children in a Home at Jammu and alleged failure of Government to own the responsibility of these hapless inmates.
The issue was raised by the NC member, Dr Shehnaz Ganai from Poonch during Question Hour while Minister Incharge Social Welfare Sakina Itoo was responding. Dr Ganai referred to the case related to the rape of the mentally retarded girl inmates of a Home in Jammu. She asked what action in this regard has been taken and who will own these children ?
As the member pressed for the reply from Minister in series of supplimentaries raised, Sakina remarked, “ Yehan Takreeren Nahi Karni hai Jawab Sunane Ka Honsla Rakhiye.’” She again said, “ Home tau Govt land par he banega na ki Sakina Itoo ki private zamin par.”
These remarks of the Minister irked Dr Ganai who stood up and objected to the remarks of the Minister. She also started grilling the Minister and the heated exchanges between the two continued for few minutes. Dr Ganai asked J&K Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act 2013 was passed but why rules were not framed so far. What measures were taken by Government for the protection of these children. Were they safe in the same House after rape incidents ? The chairman tried to calm them but the tiff continued. No other member raised supplementary on the issue except Jehangir Mir regarding Nari Niketan, Poonch.
Earlier, giving reply the Minister said 34 Homes ( 21 Bal Ashrams and 13 Nari Niketans) for destitute/ mentally retarded children are presently operational in the State. Besides, 31 orphanages are also run by the NGOs. The average occupancy rate in Bal Ashrams was 55 and 24 in the Nari Niketans. She said the incident related to abuse of mentally challenged children was reported in the newspapers on Sept 5, 2013. In this regard, DC Jammu has constituted a committee headed by ADC Jammu and the management of the Home has been handed over to the committee, she added.
The Minister further claimed that sub committees have been constituted for supervision / maintenance and routine check up children of the said Home is done. Moreover, the matter was under investigation and sub- judice in the High Court. She also claimed that an Act for the safeguard of such children has been enacted and the rules are also framed which are now being notified.
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