Bihar cancels selection of 50 NGOs to run shelter homes

The Government of Bihar has cancelled the selection of about 50 NGOs for running shelter homes and other welfare institutions in the state and is likely to take over the operations of all facilities within the next three months.

The decision comes in the wake of the irregularities which were reported in a social audit conducted by a seven member team from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. The Koshish team of TISS had reviewed the functioning of 110 welfare institutions in the state and had okayed only seven. The audit also had unearthed the Muzaffarpur Balika Grih horror where at least 34 minor girls were allegedly raped and tortured, which had triggered a nationwide outrage on the issue.

An official in Bihar's Social Welfare Department (SWD), which looks after the functioning of such institutions, said, "It has already been decided by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar that NGOs will no longer operate these homes. Hence, around 50 voluntary organisations, which had recently been selected for the purpose, have been cancelled."

He added that the CM has ordered for a phase wise takeover of such facilities and it was likely to be completed within the next three months. "Initially, we will rent buildings to run such facilities. Some more staff including superintendents, inspectors, cleaning personnel and cooks will be appointed, which will increase the overall operational costs by a few crores," he said, adding that the vacancies for new posts will be created and the recruitment process will be started soon.