Home Minister Rajnath Singh informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that the Centre will issue advisories to States about the safety of children in shelter homes. It will also direct the Ministry concerned to ensure safety audit of all homes across the country.
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan asked members to personally inquire into the condition of shelters in their constituencies. Repeated instances of sexual abuse have surfaced after the Muzaffarpur (Bihar) and Deoria shelter (U.P.) cases.
Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, suggested that the Speaker form a Parliamentary panel that would travel across the country and audit the functioning of homes for children. The issue was raised during Zero Hour by Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav. “This is not a matter of politics, but one that shames humanity,” he said.
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Mr. Singh explained that the Yogi Adityanath government had taken prompt action by suspending the district planning officer and arresting the coordinator of the shelter home.
Not satisfied with the reply, Congress and SP members walked out in protest.