The condition of government-run homes for the disabled and senior citizens have often been found to be far from perfect.
Chairman of National Human Rights Commission Justice HL Dattu told theTimes of India that he once visited a government home for the disabled where 49 children were using one toothbrush. Dattu said he has witnessed the sad conditions at various old-age homes and government run facilities.
Justice Dattu also commented on the sorry state of affairs that prevail in the country where well-to-do families send their aged parens to old age homes. He spoke about the need for counsellors in these homes where the residents can have someone to talk to and boost their confidence levels to live a fruitful life.
Since becoming the chairperson of NHRC, he said he has conducted meetings with Justices Cyriac Joseph and D Murugesan and IPS officer S C Sinha about these issues.
After appointing rapporteurs to do field visits at various homes, the chief has a core group of experts attached to NHRC for suggestions towards improvement of conditions at these homes.
Under the Deendayal Rehabilitation Scheme, 421 NGOs running 502 projects including residential programmes for the visually handicapped or hearing impaired as well as physically challenged, are given aid by the Centre. However, the number of old-age homes receiving support from the Government is declining and has gone down from 269 in 2012-12 to 137 in 2014-15.
Source: Daily News & Analysis
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