Date:09/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/09/stories/2009010961250300.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Monetary assistance for children of prisoners

Sangeeth Kurian

1,500 prisoners’ children need financial assistance

Directorate to
dole out Rs.500
for each child
Call for cooperation of jail officials

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Directorate of Social Welfare will ensure sustained financial assistance to children who are rendered ‘semi-orphans’ following the imprisonment of their bread-winning parent.

As per a government order issued in November, the directorate will now dole out Rs.500 each, as a supplementary amount to the children of prisoners. The money will be credited into the joint account of the child and his/her caretaker every month. The monetary assistance will cover costs of transportation, clothing, food and school fees and continue until the child completes graduation.

“There is a lot of stigma attached to children whose parents are branded as criminals,” said K.K. Mani, Additional Director, Directorate of Social Welfare. “They lack social support and are often treated as second class citizens,” he said.

The directorate estimates that there are around 5,000 prisoners in various jails across the State. Of this, nearly 1,500 prisoners have children who require financial assistance. “We have set apart Rs.18 lakh annually for the welfare of the children,” said Raghavan Unni, Joint Director, Directorate of Social Welfare. “The amount will be increased depending on the number of response we receive from the jails,” he said.

According to the directorate officials, cooperation from the part of jail officials is crucial in ensuring monetary benefits for the targeted group. “We want them to expedite the process to provide maximum benefit to the children,” said Mr. Unni.

The directorate has already forwarded a copy of the order to the Director General of Police requesting the jail authorities to provide necessary details of the children of prisoners, complete with their names, class and school in which they are studying.

“We have also given them (prisoners) a format on how to fill the application forms on behalf of their children,” said the Joint Director. Though the directorate is yet to receive any response from the prisoners, the officials hope that applications will trickle in as the welfare scheme gains more publicity.

“We expect to receive around 300 applicants in the initial phase,” said Mr. Mani. “We will also conduct field visits at a later stage to ensure that the benefit reaches the needy,” he said.