Collector directs hostels to obtain licences by February 28

Directive issued again in the wake of recent sealing of children’s home

District Collector K.S. Kandasamy has asked all the hostels and homes for women and children functioning in the district to obtain licences by February 28.

Already, the Collector issued a similar request earlier. The directive gains significance in the wake of a Children’s Home in Tiruvannamalai being sealed on Tuesday on charges of sexual abuse by one of the staff members.

The Tamil Nadu Hostels and Homes for Women and Children (Regulation) Act, 2014, mandates all homes, hostels or lodging houses that accommodate women or children to obtain licences from the District Collector.

The Act says that the applications should be submitted with required details and fee of ₹3,000 to the Collector, who in turn will make necessary enquiries, and has the authority to provide or refuse licences.

A licence is valid for a period of three years.

Punishable offence

Any person who fails to obtain the licence shall be punished with imprisonment up to two years and a fine that may be extended to ₹50,000.

Persons running children’s homes should obtain applications from District Child Protection Officer, and persons running women’s hostels should obtain applications from District Social Welfare Officer, Mr. Kandasamy said.