Maharashtra govt to frame policy for mentally challenged girls

In the background of alleged rape of five mentally challenged girls at an orphanage near Mumbai, Maharashtra government will frame a comprehensive policy to protect the girls staying in orphanages across the state.

Home minister R R Patil on MOnday told the legislative council that the state government would come up in 15 days with a policy for protection of the girls staying in orphanages.

"We would come up with a policy within 15 days to ensure protection of mentally challenged girls staying in orphanages. Regular reviews would also be conducted of Ashrams by the department of women and child welfare," Patil said.

Seven persons, including a founder director of a private-run orphanage home in Navi Mumbai, were arrested in connection with rape of five mentally challenged female inmates, three of them minors, in beginning of the month.

Patil was replying to a question raised by NCP MLC Usha Darade on action taken by the state government in connection with rape of two mentally challenged girls in Beed district in the last three months.

The home minister assured of providing financial assistance from the chief minister's fund to kin of the victims of rape since they come from poor background.