Condition of children's homes dismal, model plan be drawn: HC

Terming as "dismal" the condition of children's remand and shelter homes in Maharashtra, the Bombay High Court has asked the state government to draw up a model plan with necessary amenities which can be replicated all over the state.
A division bench headed by Justice V M Kanade was hearing a public interest litigation by one Kamal Singh over the issue of poor condition of remand and shelter homes for children in the state.
"The condition of shelter and remand homes in Maharashtra is dismal and in most cases these are in a dilapidated condition. If a model plan is prepared regarding the amenities which can be provided in such homes then it can be implemented all over the state," it said yesterday.

The court noted that at present vocational training centres are there only in the remand homes in Pune and Mumbai but no training is being imparted there due to lack of classroom space or teachers.
It suggested that the remand home buildings should be constructed in such a manner that these should have capacity to cater to gowing numbers over at least the next 50 years.
"We direct the chief engineer of the state government to look at suggestions given by the parties involved in this litigation and come up with a model plan of remand home for children," the court said.

It directed the government to submit a report on November 28 when it would hear the matter again.