Srinagar, Feb 2: The Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, Tuesday warned that orphanages which refuse to implement “quality standards” would be closed and called for constituting a task force to give suggestions for improving community care mechanism aimed at welfare of orphans and other destitute children.
 Speaking at the launch of “Quality Standards of Care for Orphanages in Jammu and Kashmir” at SKICC here, Omar said, “According to UNICEF figures there are about one lakh orphans in the state. There are some good orphanages and trusts in Kashmir, but there are several who make money in the name of orphanages. There is no standard care even in government sector.”
 “I congratulate Social Welfare Department and Save the Children for coming up with this document. But this book shouldn’t be kept in lockers but it has to be implemented without any politics and fear. Those who maintain quality standards should be appreciated and those who refuse should be dealt with iron fist. There should be no favouritism and the department should monitor the activities of orphanages,” he urged.
 The Chief Minister called for constituting a “task force” comprising of representatives from Social Welfare Department and reputed NGOs, who can suggest how to improve community care for the orphans.
 “Institutional care should be the last option. We should strive for community care. But it seems in last 20-years of turmoil, we have forgotten humanity and our senses are dull. Our community care needs attention,” he said.
 “Orphanages should be the last option. We can’t understand pain of an orphan. For us it is theoretical. But our endeavour should be to make orphans happy,” he added.
 Omar assured the international NGO “Save The Children” and Social Welfare Department that his office was always ready to help them for the cause of orphans. “We should identify bright guys among orphans and appreciate them so that they can achieve heights.”
 The Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo, said, “There is need to do more to make orphans happy. 20-years of conflict has rendered thousands orphan and may be we have not reached to all.”
 “Money isn’t everything but parental love is important. You can’t give happiness through money but community has to play a role,” she added.
 The Chief Executive Officer, Save The Children, Thomas Chandy, said, “It is a historical movement as it is for the first time that any state in India is adopting quality standards of care for orphanages.”
 While giving brief about the activities of his organisation in India and J&K he said, “We must make community based mechanism to protect rights of children.”
 The Patron of J&K Yateem Trust, Z A Tak and a child from Baitul Hilal, Rouf Majid, also addressed the audience.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 2 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 2 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 3 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST