Stricter norms for orphanages

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government is planning stricter norms for accommodating children from other states in orphanages run by various organisations in the state.This is one of 16 decisions taken at a meeting of the Board of Control for Orphanages and Other Charitable Homes convened by Social Welfare and Panchayats Minister M K Muneer here on Thursday.There are several orphanages in the state today where children from other states, including north-eastern states, live and study in local schools. “There is a good side and a bad side to it. The issue will be studied and stricter norms introduced for bringing children from other states to orphanages,’’ K K Moni, member-secretary of the board and additional director of Social Welfare, said.The meeting decided to provide rice at Rs 1 a-kg to old age homes. Orders were already issued to provide the benefit to orphanages. Wheat would also be provided to such institutions.The State Government will consider upping the per head expenditure at orphanages from Rs 500 to Rs 1,500. All old age homes will be included in the ‘Vayomitra’ project of the State Social Security Mission. The services of the mobile medical unit under ‘Vayomitra’ too would be extended to all homes for the elderly.The meeting also decided to increase the number of members of the Board of Control for Orphanages and Other Charitable Homes and to study the issue of providing remuneration to unofficial members.