A Akhter / New Delhi
Delhi government’s Department of Women & Child Development will soon get an integrated child protection centre, called Vatsalya Sadan, at three different locations in Alipur, Tughlakabad Institutional Area and Dwarka. It will bring a new ray of hope for the needy children as it will be one-stop centre having an observation home, legal aid clinic and other service for rescued children.
With laying foundation stone of Vatsalya Sadan one of its kind integrated complex in the country on 27th May, 2023, at Alipur, Justice Ravindra Bhat, Judge of Supreme Court says the Department has truly manifested the potential of fulfilling its commitment to bring out the best facilities for children in vulnerable situations. The enabling and healthy environment is the core of the complex designed for such children.
Justice Ravindra Bhat in a matter of Court on its own motion before him passed a direction in 2018 for the Delhi Government to construct a proper building such as to cater the future needs in conformity to the requirements of Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Rules, 2016. In his order, Justice Bhat emphasised that the construction should be child friendly in terms of the space and particularly the extent of natural light within the building at the same time balancing the other concerned such as security etc.
Justice Mukta Gupta, Judge High Court, also the Chairperson of Juvenile Justice Committee ensured regular monitoring of the progress of the project from the Department on concept, visualisation, design, accessibility of child protection services including in-house rehabilitation for drug addicted young children. She acknowledged the compliance made by the Department appreciating the bonafide efforts made by Krishan Kumar, Director of Department of Women & Child Development which has finally shown the light of the day.
On the occasion Atishi Singh, Minister, WCD government of Delhi reiterated the government’s commitment towards safeguarding the best interest of the children of Delhi. It is the responsibility of the government to fulfil the needs of children who are deprived by the nature, said the Minister. She further stated that the services must help the children for their rehabilitation to enable their restoration with the families and reduce the need for Homes. Atishi, also the Minister of Public Works Department has assured to take up the project with the PWD for completion of the project within a period of two years positively with advanced infrastructural facilities and convenience for children including those with special needs.
Krishan Kumar, Director, WCD explained that the Vatsalya Sadan at Alipur will consist of residential institutions for children in conflict with law, rehabilitation centre, remedial education and well-being clinic, medical and mental health, legal aid and probation services besides environment for milieu based intervention. A Juvenile Justice Board with technologically equipped facilities including vulnerable witness room and video-conferencing facilities, waiting lounge for children and families will be the highlights of the integrated complex.
Ms. Garima Gupta, Secretary, WCD says that services for the children in the capital must be best and be treated as of our own children. Government is the guardian and it cannot shirk away from its responsibility. The state of art creation of complex with modern amenities will benefit many children coming under juvenile justice system making their future bright and blissful.
The foundation laying ceremony of integrated complex at Alipur, bhoomi poojan at Tughlakabad plot and inauguration of Juvenile Justice Board at Dwarka were attended by the Member Judges of the Juvenile Justice Committee at High Court, dignitaries from Government and PWD Engineers. The Juvenile Justice Committee congratulated Ms. Garima Gupta, Secretary, WCD for her leadership and consistent endeavour for making the project a reality.
The Department organised Bhoomi Poojan on 30th May, 2023 to dedicate the unused plot at Tuglakabad Institutional Area for institutional development of Juvenile Justice Board, Child Welfare Committee and District Child Protection Unit with a dedicated in-patient rehabilitation centre considering the vulnerability in the neighbouring clusters.
Justice Mukta Gupta along with fellow Judges of the Juvenile Justice Committee inaugurated the Juvenile Justice Board for South West district on 3rd June, 2023 in the upcoming integrated complex at Dwarka. A Child Welfare Committee for children in need of care & protection of children, District Child Protection Unit for ensuring appropriate intervention including institutional and non-institutional services for restoration and rehabilitation of children with District Office of the Department for South West district to be set up in Dwarka Complex shall be beneficial for leveraging and linkages with scheme of social security through financial assistance and other welfare programme.
The conceptualisation and visualisation of the integrated complex have been designed in consultation with the Architects and Engineers of Public Works Department which demonstrates the farsightedness and sensitivity of Krishan Kumar, Director of the Department. Vatsalya Sadan represents a state-of-the-art creation aimed at enhancing the accessibility of child protection services and fostering a synchronized ecosystem to promote a sensitive and amicable environment for children under the juvenile justice system. Secretary Garima Gupta has assured to ensure that the project shall be completed in time-bound manner under the overarching monitoring and support of the Juvenile Justice Committee.