THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The district administration has envisaged a scheme to place children of government orphanages under the care of selected families, Collector S Venkatesapathy said on Wednesday.
The custody will be for temporary durations, ie. Onam, Christmas vacations or weekends.
“This will help in the rehabilitation of children who are in isolation owing to social and mental problems,” he said, while addressing a meeting on ‘Social justice for women and children’ at the collectorate conference hall here. “The departments concerned should take immediate steps for its implementation,” he added.
Venkatesapathy said the scheme would help reduce the gap between deprived children and the mainstream society.
The collector added that the coordination of various government departments and agencies was essential to ensure social justice for women and children.
“Those concerned should be given sufficient training, including awareness on each department’s functioning, duties and responsibilities. The officials should ensure justice while implementing rules,” he stated.
A workshop would be held for educating them, said the collector, adding that he would visit all homes for children. He also warned of strict action against lapses in the functioning of homes for children.
Child Welfare Committee chairman Joy James, District Social Justice Officer Bindu Gopinath, District Child Welfare Officer Subair K K, Mahila Samakhya Society Director P E Usha, ICDS Programme Officer Anitha Deepthi, officials of government orphanages, officials of various government departments and Childline volunteers attended the meeting.