IN RE CONTAGION OF COVID 19 VIRUS IN CHILDREN PROTECTION HOMES Vs. IN RE CONTAGION OF COVID 19 VIRUS IN CHILDREN PROTECTION HOMES

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By an order dated 01.06.2021, this Court permitted the learned Amicus Curiae to have a dialogue with Nodal Officers to be appointed by the State Governments to ascertain the information relating to the implementation of the schemes announced by the Union of India and the State Governments/Union Territories favouring orphans and Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCPs). Further, the Amicus Curiae was authorized to interact with the Nodal officers for finding out the modalities adopted by the State Governments to provide succour to the affected children. The learned Amicus Curiae identified the states of Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Jharkhand initially for the purpose of obtaining relevant information to be furnished to this Court.

(2.) Ms. Aishwarya Bhati, learned ASG undertook to provide the details of the scheme that was announced by the Prime Minister of India on 29.05.2021. On behalf of the Union of India, an Action Taken Report has been filed. The learned ASG sought further time to furnish the modalities for the implementation of the scheme announced by the Prime Minister of India on 29.05.2021. The Union of India is granted four weeks' time from today to file an affidavit setting out the details of the scheme dated 29.05.2021 and the manner of its implementation.

(3.) Mr. Gaurav Agrawal, learned Amicus Curiae submitted a note in which he has referred to six stages for alleviation of the forlorn children who have lost both parents or a single parent. He suggested that identification of children who have become orphans or have lost one of their parents during this pandemic does not brook any delay. Immediate relief should follow the identification of such children without any delay. Thereafter, the Child Welfare Committees (CWC) should conduct inquiries and pass suitable orders expeditiously which have to be implemented without any delay. Monitoring of children by CWC and the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) should be conducted on a periodical basis. Suitable steps should be taken by CWC's to ensure that the benefits announced by the Central Government/State Governments should reach the children.