Asha Kiran deaths: Chief Comm of PwD seeks detailed report

Taking cognisance of the reported deaths of 11 mentally-challenged children in Asha Kiran home, Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Kamlesh Kumar Pandey has sought a detailed report from the Delhi government, saying action will be taken against those found guilty.
He also accused the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government of not filling up the post of State Commissioner of Disabilities due to which check on these social welfare institutions was being hampered.
Pandey also claimed that lack of supervision and administrative control by the social welfare department is responsible for such happenings.
"This is for the second time in one year that such incident has occurred. During last year, 36 deaths occurred in the same institution due to gross negligence in care and treatment of the inmates," said the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPwD), which comes under the Union Social Justice and Empowerment ministry.

In the last five years, between 2011 and 2015, 163 deaths have been reported in this institution which is very alarming and demands action and enquiry into the matter, the statement said.
Asserting that poor management and improper care, lack of supervision by controlling and administrative authorities are appearing prima facie reasons for such incidents, it said, a survey carried out in 2013, found that only three trained personnel were taking care of 982 children, which clearly speaks of poor care and management of institution.

"The room-inmates ratio, lack of cleanliness, poor health, hygiene were found to be other reasons for such incidents. The matter was taken up with the then Social Welfare Secretary but no qualitative improvement have been noticed during the year and resulted in this incident of untimely death of 11 children in Asha Kiran home again," he said.

Lack of proper trained staff, man-power and supervision are also reasons behind the incident, he added.
Taking serious note of the incident, the statement said, a state review of Delhi government has been called for in March itself to review the implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act, 1965 and Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 for protection of their rights in residential areas as well as in the institutions.
After receiving detailed report the matter will be taken up with the Delhi government and action will also be taken against those officials who are found guilty of negligence and improper care, it said.

Asha Kiran is a residential institution being run and managed by Delhi government's Social Welfare department where care, treatment, education, vocational training and rehabilitation facilities are provided.
Earlier, flagging horrific conditions and deaths, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today directed the Chief Secretary to intervene immediately and set the situation right and file a report in a week.