The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to provide the details of funds to be made available to States and Union Territories for the welfare of children in child care institutions during the pandemic.
A Bench led by Justice L. Nageswara Rao allowed Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, two weeks time to file an affidavit with the particulars of the funding.
The Bench also requested its amicus curiae, advocate Gaurav Agrawal, to prepare a note on the good practices adopted by various States for the welfare of the children. It posted the case to August 13.
Free laptops since 2011
Tamil Nadu Additional Advocate General Balaji Srinivasan said the State has been providing free laptops to children residing in child care homes and studying in Classes 11 and 12 as per a State scheme since 2011. Every year about 5.50 lakhs of laptops are given free to students studying in government and government-aider schools.
Mr. Srinivasan said CCTVs have been installed in all child care homes.
The amicus report in the case shows that Tamil Nadu tops the list of 18 States and one Union Territory — Delhi — which has restored children placed in institutional care to their parents and guardians during the lockdown. Of the 49,579 children housed in child care institutions (CCIs) in the State, 43,083 have been returned to their families or guardians. Only 6,496 children are still left in the institutions.
The hearing was based on the court’s suo motu cognisance of the welfare of children in institutions amid the pandemic.
