Maharashtra government plans Rs1.5 lakh, training for shelter home kids

The state government is actively considering a proposal to help children who have suffered abuse at shelter homes with a compensation of Rs1.5 lakh as well as vocational training.

This was conveyed by Abhinandan Vagyani, government pleader, to a division bench of judges VM Kanade and GS Kulkarni of the Bombay High Court on Monday.

The advocate said the proposal was pending before the state law and judiciary department.

The judges were hearing a bunch of public interest petitions on the deplorable conditions at special homes and shelter homes for children.

"Vocational training will also be given to the child. The file is presently pending before the state law and judiciary department for final clearance," the government pleader said.

However, the court sought to know if such a child would be eligible for other government schemes. The advocate said he would take instructions from the authority and he sought a period of four weeks.

The court suggested that the state provide vocational training to all children, aged above 16 years, at the shelter homes, so they can utilize the training to earn a livelihood after they leave the institution.

"Not every child in a special home or shelter home is disabled or a slow learner. If they can be given some vocational training the problem of what they would do after they turn 18 can be resolved,"
the judges said.

The government pleader informed the court that a policy on the matter was pending and would be cleared expeditiously.