APNA GHAR BLUES
‘Lack of counselling cause of violence’
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A 17-year-old boy was admitted to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) after he broke the window panes and tube-lights of his room at Apna Ghar, the state’s juvenile remand home at Ribandar.
The staff at the remand home justified the transfer on grounds that the youngster had a “violent” character. He went on the rampage after he wasn’t allowed to watch television.
At the IPHB, doctors diagnosed the youngster’s behaviour as merely a case of “conduct disorder” (triggered by immediate circumstances) rather than one of violence.
The youngster’s case isn’t a one-off.
Doctors at the IPHB say juveniles are repeatedly referred to the institute. “Once in two months, one or two juveniles from Apna Ghar are admitted here. A majority of them suffer from conduct disorders, as they are street children who are not exposed to proper care and shelter,” says IPHB medical superintendent B S Cuncoliencar.
At Apna Ghar, Juvenile Justice Board member Snehlata Bhatikar says delinquents go through tremendous trauma at the remand home as there is no counsellor at the campus to talk to and understand their apprehensions and anxiety.
“Besides, the approach of the staff being punitive, they ill-treat them. This drives the juvenile into a rebellious stage where they break gadgets and windows. Children learn to blackmail and when that fails, they rebel,” adds Bhatikar.
Explaining the reasons for such behaviour, Dr Nandita de Souza of Sethu Centre for Child Development and Family Guidance says, “Children misbehave either due to the development or emotional causes within them or due to the causes outside them such as family, home, friends, role models. Children want attention, power and control.”
Apart from this, some children also have addictions. “These children are often addicted to sniffing glue or drinking. The place where they are locked up only aggravates the situation as they are not provided with any skill or services for gainful employment once released,” says Arun Pandey, of NGO ARZ.
“The juveniles at Apna Ghar have no activity. They are allowed to play for just one hour everyday. They are not sent to school and spend most of the time in the prison-like room,”
says Bhatikar.
Director, Women and Child Development, Sanjiv Gadkar, says the government is aware of the problem and is working towards improving the situation.
The remand home presently has courses in craft, tailoring and clay modelling. Occasionally, a three-month course in cookery and baking is also taught.
“We are in talks with the Government Polytechnic College to start short-duration skillbased courses that will convince the children not to go back to their old ways,” assures Gadkar. These courses will include mobile repairs, data entry, making of novelty items, quilts, soft toys and coir articles and beautician courses.
October 23, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, October 23, 2008
In Goa 108 Juveniles ‘Locked Up’ At The Home; Water, Beds Scarce
Apna Ghar wards live in dismal conditions
108 Juveniles ‘Locked Up’ At The Home; Water, Beds Scarce
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Children, whether in conflict with law or in need of care and shelter are “lockedup” at the government run children’s home — Apna Ghar, where conditions are pitiable.
On a visit to Apna Ghar, TOI discovered 108 children, 56 of them girls, “rescued” from various situations. Ten of the boys were juveniles in conflict with the law.
A stink greets any visitor to the building, the reason being the lack of adequate water. The toilet doors are broken and the urinals have water up to ankle level.
This was taken up by the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR). “We have written to the minister of women and child development regarding the condition of the rooms and brought to his notice that the toilet is unhygenic and the water supply erratic. We have demanded that they install grills for the windows, so that the children don’t escape,” said GSCPCR chairperson Sameera Kazi.
“We are repairing the main water tank and improving the other facilities. We are trying to give them a safe environment in the best possible way,” said Sanjiv Gadkar, director of women and child development.
“Apna Ghar is like a prison and not a reformation home. It is a jail from which small time juveniles leave as big time criminals,” alleges juvenile justice board member Snehalata Bhatikar.
However, Gadkar denied this saying, “It is not correct to call it a jail as we don’t keep the juveniles in a closed room. We have to keep them lockedup as they break window panes and destroy everything in their vicinity if left in the open. There is also a toddler section. Who will bear responsibility if any harm is caused to them?”
Boys in conflict with the law and those in need of care are “locked-up” in separate rooms. This comprises a fan in working condition albeit without proper beds. All the girls, on the other hand, are housed in a single room.
The switchboard in the room where lads in conflict with the law are put up, is broken with wires dangling. The broken window panes are the work of, “the children themselves”, reveal authorities.
Gadkar said, “It is difficult to control so many children. If we don’t deter them from the wrong path now, it’s an open invitation for them to do whatever they want in the future. We definitely don’t want them to regress to their previous situations.”
Bhatikar, however, begged to differ. She said, “There are no facilities to improve their present or future whereby they can be gainfully employed.” In fact, the only activity for the children is an hour of games every evening and if they desire, they are taught pottery or needle work.
October 22, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
108 Juveniles ‘Locked Up’ At The Home; Water, Beds Scarce
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Children, whether in conflict with law or in need of care and shelter are “lockedup” at the government run children’s home — Apna Ghar, where conditions are pitiable.
On a visit to Apna Ghar, TOI discovered 108 children, 56 of them girls, “rescued” from various situations. Ten of the boys were juveniles in conflict with the law.
A stink greets any visitor to the building, the reason being the lack of adequate water. The toilet doors are broken and the urinals have water up to ankle level.
This was taken up by the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR). “We have written to the minister of women and child development regarding the condition of the rooms and brought to his notice that the toilet is unhygenic and the water supply erratic. We have demanded that they install grills for the windows, so that the children don’t escape,” said GSCPCR chairperson Sameera Kazi.
“We are repairing the main water tank and improving the other facilities. We are trying to give them a safe environment in the best possible way,” said Sanjiv Gadkar, director of women and child development.
“Apna Ghar is like a prison and not a reformation home. It is a jail from which small time juveniles leave as big time criminals,” alleges juvenile justice board member Snehalata Bhatikar.
However, Gadkar denied this saying, “It is not correct to call it a jail as we don’t keep the juveniles in a closed room. We have to keep them lockedup as they break window panes and destroy everything in their vicinity if left in the open. There is also a toddler section. Who will bear responsibility if any harm is caused to them?”
Boys in conflict with the law and those in need of care are “locked-up” in separate rooms. This comprises a fan in working condition albeit without proper beds. All the girls, on the other hand, are housed in a single room.
The switchboard in the room where lads in conflict with the law are put up, is broken with wires dangling. The broken window panes are the work of, “the children themselves”, reveal authorities.
Gadkar said, “It is difficult to control so many children. If we don’t deter them from the wrong path now, it’s an open invitation for them to do whatever they want in the future. We definitely don’t want them to regress to their previous situations.”
Bhatikar, however, begged to differ. She said, “There are no facilities to improve their present or future whereby they can be gainfully employed.” In fact, the only activity for the children is an hour of games every evening and if they desire, they are taught pottery or needle work.
October 22, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa Pharamacy College Rs 65 Lakhs college equipment lies unused
Rs 65L college equipment lies unused
Pharmacy College Paid In Full Without Delivery Of Quality Machinery: Report
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: In a shocking development, state-of-the-art equipment purchased in 2006 at the cost of Rs 65 lakh for use at the Goa college of pharmacy is lying unused at the institution.
A sub-committee, appointed by the college management, that looked into the purchases noted, “Prima facie, it is a case for further investigation. The installation report of the machines has been prepared without checking and actually installing the equipment. The 100% payment was done without getting quality equipment delivered. (There has been) no benefit to students despite (the equipment) lying in (the) college for more than one year”.
The report of the sub-committee was submitted to the state government on October 11, 2008. Technical education director Vivek Kamat confirmed the receipt of the report, but said, “At this stage, we can’t say anything. We have asked for some more information.”
Officiating college principal M G Pai, however, refused to comment on the report and said, “The matter is with the government. Let the government go through the matter and if there is anything we will take action.”
The pharmacy college with 450 students, one of the oldest institutes in the state, has been constantly gripped by problems due to a lack of infrastructure and facilities.
In 2006, chief secretary J P Singh had sanctioned the additional funds for acquiring machinery and equipment for the college. The machines purchased included, telemetry DSI data acquisition, auto track animal activity meter, hot plate analgesic meter and biopack, organ bath set-up, rat restrainer, ECG and other equipment worth Rs 65 lakh. These machines, used for developing new drugs and studying the effect of drugs on animals, were purchased from Gentech Marketing and Distribution (P) Ltd in August 2006.
According to the report, besides procedural lapses, there are also technical lapses. “It appears that the purchase committee decided to purchase the equipment on its own initiative. All members (were) not aware as there are no minutes of any meeting/s of the purchase committee and the signatures of all members are not available especially at crucial decision points,” the report states.
Besides procedural lapses, the report points out to technical flaws in the purchase. “While quoting (for) this item, M/s Gentech included an additional cost of $2800 towards training. As per the special conditions of the tender, the training should have been free. Installation of the equipment and the training is suspect, since M/s Gentech has specifically stated that a ‘starter kit’ is for training and demonstration. This essential part was supplied only in May 2008. Even on May 22, 2008, the company failed to demonstrate the proper working of the machinery”, the report notes.
Noting that instead of installing the equipment, it was dumped in a room, the report added, “All the payments were made in advance. Ninety per cent (of the) payment was to be made against irrevocable letter of credit or draft at sight. The balance 10% was to be paid on completion of supply, installation and acceptance of the equipment. Advance payment was not allowed.”
October 21, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Pharmacy College Paid In Full Without Delivery Of Quality Machinery: Report
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: In a shocking development, state-of-the-art equipment purchased in 2006 at the cost of Rs 65 lakh for use at the Goa college of pharmacy is lying unused at the institution.
A sub-committee, appointed by the college management, that looked into the purchases noted, “Prima facie, it is a case for further investigation. The installation report of the machines has been prepared without checking and actually installing the equipment. The 100% payment was done without getting quality equipment delivered. (There has been) no benefit to students despite (the equipment) lying in (the) college for more than one year”.
The report of the sub-committee was submitted to the state government on October 11, 2008. Technical education director Vivek Kamat confirmed the receipt of the report, but said, “At this stage, we can’t say anything. We have asked for some more information.”
Officiating college principal M G Pai, however, refused to comment on the report and said, “The matter is with the government. Let the government go through the matter and if there is anything we will take action.”
The pharmacy college with 450 students, one of the oldest institutes in the state, has been constantly gripped by problems due to a lack of infrastructure and facilities.
In 2006, chief secretary J P Singh had sanctioned the additional funds for acquiring machinery and equipment for the college. The machines purchased included, telemetry DSI data acquisition, auto track animal activity meter, hot plate analgesic meter and biopack, organ bath set-up, rat restrainer, ECG and other equipment worth Rs 65 lakh. These machines, used for developing new drugs and studying the effect of drugs on animals, were purchased from Gentech Marketing and Distribution (P) Ltd in August 2006.
According to the report, besides procedural lapses, there are also technical lapses. “It appears that the purchase committee decided to purchase the equipment on its own initiative. All members (were) not aware as there are no minutes of any meeting/s of the purchase committee and the signatures of all members are not available especially at crucial decision points,” the report states.
Besides procedural lapses, the report points out to technical flaws in the purchase. “While quoting (for) this item, M/s Gentech included an additional cost of $2800 towards training. As per the special conditions of the tender, the training should have been free. Installation of the equipment and the training is suspect, since M/s Gentech has specifically stated that a ‘starter kit’ is for training and demonstration. This essential part was supplied only in May 2008. Even on May 22, 2008, the company failed to demonstrate the proper working of the machinery”, the report notes.
Noting that instead of installing the equipment, it was dumped in a room, the report added, “All the payments were made in advance. Ninety per cent (of the) payment was to be made against irrevocable letter of credit or draft at sight. The balance 10% was to be paid on completion of supply, installation and acceptance of the equipment. Advance payment was not allowed.”
October 21, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
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