KATHMANDU, Feb 3: The Women and Social Welfare Committee under the House of Representatives has directed the government to bring the Nepal Bal Sangathan (Nepal Children Organisation) under the subordination of the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens.
The Committee called for the implementation of its direction instantly. The Committee sought the Ministry's responsibility of the protection of the organisation's children and its all immovable and movable property. Following the discussions with the Organisation's officials, the Committee instructed the Ministry to make all arrangements at the province and local level as well for the protection of children.
Luxury redefined
The Committee has reached to a conclusion that though the Organisation carrying the five-decade long history has been taking the responsibility of the protection of numerous children, it failed to revise itself as per the changed governance system.
The Committee demanded all structures to be built under a federal structure be child-friendly and any child protection home must meet minimum criteria before coming into operation and children's basic rights to health, education and so on be guaranteed there, drawing the government's attention towards that end. Besides, it advised the government to maintain transparency in each activities of all non-government organisations meant for the welfare of children and to be alert that no child would be deprived of one's rights due to any reasons.
The Ministry and Social Welfare Council have been directed to publish updates of child protection homes in every three months as per the provision of Right to Information Act, to ensure decent treatment towards children and regualarise monitoring of those organisations opened in the name of charity.
Prior to this. in the meeting Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Parbat Gurung advised the Organisation's representatives to cooperate with the process to hand over the Organisation to the government while committee members Laxmi Pariyar and Khem Lohani spoke of the need of massive improvement in the Organisation. It has been revealed that children of Organisation's officials and employees occupy scholarship seats meant for orphans. Presently, it serves as a shelter for around 400 children from the new born to 18 years of age.
