Justice Shri D. Murugesan, Member, NHRC visited Tamil Nadu from the 22nd to 24th August, 2014 in connection with inspection of the Observation Home for Boys, Vigilance Home for Women, Madurai, Hosanna Children's Home, Lower Camp, Uthamapalayam Taluk, District Theni, Aanganwadi Centre, Thaathappankulam (South), Cumbam Block, Uthampalayam Taluk, District Theni and Humanity Trust Children's Home, Kodangipatti, District Theni.
While visiting Madurai Observation Home for juvenile offenders, he was informed that the maintenance grant for the Home had not been issued for the past eight months. The employees of the Society were not issued pay relief grant for almost a year and the revised pay structure as per the Sixth Pay Commission was also not implemented. The posts of Medical Officer, Teacher and Yoga/P.T. Master were lying vacant. Justice Murugesan said that proper counselling of the juvenile offenders was necessary especially keeping in view the repeat offenders. They should be provided the services of an advocate for legal consultations from Free Legal Aid Society. The Medical Officer should regularly visit the Home and his name and telephone number should be properly maintained at the Home. The Juvenile Justice Board should be approached for the early release on bail of those children, who were stu-dying. The parents of children should be properly informed about their ward's admission in the Observation Home.
In the Vigilance Home for Women, he interacted with inmates, most of whom were the victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation. He was informed that they were being imparted tailoring, embroidery, zardozi and soft skills. He also instructed the officers to take up with the Centre the issue of the deportation of one migrant girl from Bangladesh through the District Magistrate.
In the Hosanna Children's Home, Lower Camp, Uthamapalayam Taluk, District Theni, he found that its license was not renewed. He recommended that for renewing the license, private children homes should apply three months in advance of its expiry date and they should adhere to the time schedule. He also observed that all children should be medically examined at the time of their admission to the Observation Home and complete personal profile of every child should be maintained. The Juvenile Home should run as per the guidelines and regulations framed by the NHRC and the State Government.
While inspecting the Aanganwadi Centre, Uthama-palayam, District Theni, the NHRC Member observed that there was no proper ventilation in the room and recom-mended that windows should be created. Children's absence should be informed to the parents and periodical visits by the District level officers should be made to ensure proper functioning of the Centre. Similarly, health check-ups and vaccination of the children by the Health Department officials should be done in a planned manner. He also stressed upon the improvement in the unhygienic condition of the Centre.
While visiting the Humanity Trust Children's Home, Kodangipatti, District Theni, Justice Murugesan observed that there were more than 100 students and the premises of the Home was being maintained neatly and hygienically. Every class had a teacher. He reiterated all the instructions given in connection with the upkeep of the Aanganwadi Centre.
Justice Shri Murugesan was accompanied by Dr. K.R. Shyamsunder, Special Repporteur, NHRC along with other officers of the State Government.