Affidavit details steps to improve Apna Ghar facilities

Affidavit details steps to improve Apna Ghar facilities
TNN

PANAJI: The department of women and child development (DWCD) on Monday filed an affidavit and apprised the high court of Bombay at Goa about the steps taken for improving living conditions of the inmates of Apna Ghar, a children's protective home at Merces.

DWCD director Sanjiv Gadkar filed the affidavit in reply to a list of recommendations and immediate measures to be undertaken by the government as submitted before the court by amicus curiae Sandesh Padiyar on June 22.

The affidavit has been filed following a suo motu petition regarding the unhygienic conditions in which children at the Apna Ghar were forced to live.

The court had treated a report published in TOI on October 22, 2008, along with another report of the principal district and sessions judge, Panaji, as a public interest litigation and had appointed Padiyar as amicus curiae in the matter.

Gadkar has pointed out in his affidavit that as far as the security of the inmates is concerned, there are 20 caretakers and 4 security personnel at Apna Ghar. He also stated that two qualified counsellors would soon be appointed and revealed that the number of matrons and 'ayyas' has been increased to 7 and 14, respectively, from 3 of each.

Interestingly, the affidavit also disclosed "the inmates of the home often indulge in destructive activities and damage the furniture, fixtures, kitchen items including utensils, tables, etc, without any cause or reason".

Gadkar further stated that "it is difficult to prevent these activities as the inmates have access to these items and no control can be exercised for 24 hours of the day".

13 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition