Govt directs collectors to ensure physical inspection of CCIs

The Odisha government today directed all district collectors to ensure physical inspection of all child care institutions (CCIs) and shelter homes for the safety of inmates.

The state government also told the collectors to gather intelligence information about ongoing activities in CCIs and shelter homes.

The direction was issued by Women and Child Development minister Prafulla Samal while reviewing the condition of CCIs and shelter homes in the state today.

Samal had last week visited about four CCIs and shelter homes in Kandhamal district.

"The collectors have also been asked to gather intelligence information about the ongoing activities in CCIs and shelter homes with help of district SPs," Samal said.

The state government also asked the collectors to create awareness on Toll Free Women Help Line (181) and Child Line (1098), so that the inmates can use them during distress.

The state government has been creating awareness among the NGOs, government officials and other stake holders on the issues related to possible sexual abuse of girls in CCIs and shelter homes. The members of the Child Welfare Committees in different districts are undergoing sensitisation programmes, officials said.

Earlier, the Odisha DGP RP Sharma had issued direction to all superintendents of police to carry out a verification of child care institutions in the state.

The DGP had also instructed the SPs to constitute a team comprising officers of the Investigative Unit on Crimes Against Women (IUCAW), Integrated Anti Human Trafficking Unit (IAHTU) and the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) including women officers of the district for verification of shelter homes on a priority basis.

The DGP had sought reports from district police on the activities of CCIs and shelter homes on regular basis.