To ensure the safety and security of children residing in Child Care Institutes (CCIs), Ms. Shipra Bansal, Chairperson, Chandigarh

To ensure the safety and security of children residing in Child Care Institutes (CCIs), Ms. Shipra Bansal, Chairperson, Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR), along with a team of Commission representatives from District Child Protection Unit, Chandigarh, visited Snehalaya for Girls, State Adoption Agency (SAA), Sector-15, Chandigarh, Observation Home for Boys, Special Home for Boys, and Place of Safety (Boys), Sector 25, Chandigarh.

The team visited all dormitories, washrooms, dining areas, store rooms, medical rooms, play areas, and multipurpose halls of the CCIs. 

During the visit, the commission found the minimal discrepancies were found. They ensured the team that they will rectify the same. In addition to this, they were also advised to display boards mentioning the rules and regulations for the concerned staff and donors. Additionally, the counsellors of the CCIs were told to do regular individual and group counselling with the children. In SAA, the current adoption status of the abandoned, orphaned, and surrendered children was asked, and the team of the Commission told the concerned officers of the SAA to speed up the adoption process of these needy children.

The Chairperson, CCPCR, had a word with the Hon’ble Principal Magistrate of the Juvenile Justice Board, Mr. Sukhdev Singh (HCS), and Ms. Madanjit Kaur Sahota, Member, of the Juvenile Justice Board, Chandigarh, to know about the effective implementation of provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act.

Additionally, the Chairperson of CCPCR also interacted with the children present in the CCIs and encouraged them to imbibe good habits and adopt a healthy lifestyle so that they could be strong physically and mentally too. She further added that they must be aware of their duties for their own safety and others' as well.

Dr. Monica M. Singh, Member, CCPCR; Mrs. Pooja Punchhi, Member, CCPCR; Mr. Sanjay Sharma, Member, CCPCR; Mrs. Sneha, Resident Manager (Additional Charge), Snehalaya For Girls; Mr. Sham Lal, Resident Manager, JJ Homes; Mr. Kartar Singh, Legal Consultant, CCPCR; Mr. Arvind K. Dhawan, Senior Assistant, CCPCR; Mrs. Ankita, POCSO Consultant, CCPCR; Ms. Prabhdeep Kaur, Legal-Cum-Probation Officer, District Child Protection Unit, Chandigarh (Holding Additional Charge of District Child Protection Officer) and staff of the concerned CCI were present during the inspection.