HYDERABAD: With no concrete figures or data on the number of homeless people in the city available, the District Women’s Development & Child Welfare Agency has asked all shelter homes for women and children run by government and private agencies to register under the Women’s & Children’s Licensing Rules, 2010 through the website
“There have been many cases where a missing child has been found in one of the many unregistered shelter homes in the city. Since no one from these homes notifies the police, neither the police nor the parents are aware about details regarding their child”, said J Vijaya Bhaskar, Legal-cum-Probation Officer, District Child protection Unit, Hyderabad.
Adding further that over 40-50 such unregistered homes exist in the city, he cited security and interlinking of information as crucial for tracking missing persons. “This apart, we will also ensure such homes adhere to norms of food, safety and health of their inmates. Information provided to us will also have to be updated every six months. This will ensure all round development of the woman and child residing at the shelter home.” Presently only 4-5 such shelter homes have registered with the agency. “Since most of the existing homes receive central or state government funds, it’s only imperative that they register keeping in mind the best interests of the children and woman inmates,” he said.
Asked whether the department held the figures for total number of homeless women and children residing in Hyderabad, Bhaskar replied in the negative. “Unless all shelter homes register, how can we provide information precisely?” he questioned.