Lok Sabha Question No. 43 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Juvenile Observation Homes in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: S. Gnanathiraviam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UN-STARRED QUESTION NO.43 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2024

## JUVENILE OBSERVATION HOMES IN TAMIL NADU

## 43. SHRI GNANATHIRAVIAM S.:

Will  the  Minister  of  WOMEN  AND  CHILD  DEVELOPMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  allocates  funds  for  construction  of  buildings  and infrastructure development of observation homes and special homes to States for better housing of juveniles who are in conflict with law;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the quantum of funds allocated and released to Tamil Nadu for the purpose during the last three years, year-wise; and
- (d) the results achieved in the said State during the said period?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a)  to  (d)  :  The  Ministry  of  Women  and  Child  Development  is  administering  the Juvenile  Justice  (Care  and  Protection  of  Children)  Act,  2015  (JJ  Act,  2015)  as amended in 2021 which is the primary legislation for ensuring the safety, security, dignity and well-being of children. The Act provides for protection of children in need of care and protection and those in conflict with law by catering to their basic needs through care,  protection,  development,  treatment  and  social  re-integration.  The primary responsibility of implementation of the JJ Act lies with the respective State/UT Government.  JJ  Act,  2015  mandates  that  the  State  Government  to  establish  and maintain in every district or a group of districts, either by itself, or through voluntary or non-governmental organisations, observation homes for temporary reception, care and rehabilitation of any child alleged to be in conflict with law, during the pendency of any inquiry under this Act.

The Ministry is implementing a centrally sponsored scheme namely Mission Vatsalya Scheme to support the State and UT Governments for delivering services for Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP) and Children in Conflict with Law (CCL). The Child Care Institutions (CCIs) established under the scheme support inter-alia ageappropriate  education,  access  to  vocational  training,  recreation,  health  care  and counselling.  Mission  Vatsalya  Scheme  also  provides  for  engagement  for  posts  of Educator, Art & Craft cum Music Teacher and PT Instructor cum Yoga Trainer to provide access to education to all State/UTs including Tamil Nadu.

Under Mission Vatsalya Scheme, funds are released to the States/UTs provided for construction of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) which includes Observation Homes and Special  Homes.  The  cost  of  construction  under  Mission  Vatsalya  Scheme  is Rs. 1,34,93,500/- for a CCI with a capacity of 50 children and Rs.77,15,000/- for a CCI with a capacity of 25 children. There is also provision of construction of Vatsalya Sadan in the scheme guidelines which is an Integrated Home Complex of CCIs with Children Home, Observation Home, Special Home, Place of Safety along with JJB and CWC located within single premises for implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act. The Financial Support for Vatsalya Sadan  for unit of 50 children is Rs.5,58,25,600/- and for unit of 25 children is Rs.3,27,11,600/-.

The amount released to State of Tamil Nadu and utilized including construction of Homes for the Children in Conflict with Law during last three years i.e. 2020-21, 202122 and 2022-23 is as under.

| Financial Year   |   Released (Rupees in Lakhs) |   Utilized (Rupees in Lakhs) |   Number of CCIs supported |   Number of beneficiaries |
|------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|----------------------------|---------------------------|
| 2020-21          |                      9636.91 |                      7620.64 |                        229 |                     13819 |
| 2021-22          |                      7669.71 |                      6805.47 |                        225 |                     13877 |
| 2022-23          |                      5102.93 |                      7274.53 |                        221 |                      7785 |

The Ministry regularly follows up with the State/ UT Governments so as to ensure that CCIs adhere to the standards of care as per the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2021) provisions. Various advisories have been sent to all State/UT Governments regarding mandatory inspection of all CCIs.

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