More supervision needed

Sir, - We, as caregivers of the mentally ill, request the Government and the National Human Rights Commission to consider the following steps to prevent recurrence of tragedies such as the one that occurred in Erwadi.

(a) All rehabilitation homes should be registered under the relevant Act of the State Government and also under the Rehabilitation Council of India satisfying all the terms, conditions and norms.(b) NHRC and the State Government, particularly the Commissioner for Rehabilitation of the Disabled, should visit such homes and record their views and recommendations for the safe conduct of the home, safeguarding the interest of the inmates.(c) The Union Ministries of Health and Social Justice and Empowerment and the State Government may consider if such erring rehabilitation homes can be taken over by the Government.(d) The Centre should have an appropriate and effective yardstick to ensure implementation of the provisions under Persons with Disability Act, 1995 by the State Government, particularly in respect of mentally disabled persons, who are subjected to superstitious and barbaric spiritual healing practices.(e) The Commissioner for Rehabilitation of Disabled may convene a quarterly meeting of the management of residential homes for the mentally ill to assess the position for needful action to rectify lapses if any in the management or enforce penalty if the lapses are serious.

A.R.Rajagopal,

Convenor, National Federation for the Mentally Disabled, Chennai

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Opinion
Previous : Govt. responsible