Orphan children in Haryana, India subject to biometric data gathering

The Haryana state government in India will be gathering biometric data from children who are currently in orphanages, shelter homes or otherwise lodged in a child care institution. The government project will not only focus on gathering data from children but will also entail a compulsory registration of the childcare facilities along with getting police verification for their personnel.

These measures are adapted as a means to prevent another Rohtak shelter incident from happening, where children where allegedly sexually abused and tortured. It is essentially aimed to monitor the activities in the facilities along with avoiding incidents such as child abuse from taking place. The government is most concerned about the welfare of the children being fostered in them and is keen on upholding the guidelines made by India’s National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

Childcare institutions and several non-government organizations addressing the needs of these children are considered to be the main partners of the program. Together with the government, the extensive and multi-pronged exercise will hopefully avert and prevent any more incidence of child abuse from happening in centers across the state.

The deadline for the submission of registration by the childcare institutions is scheduled for June 30 and the Women and Child Development department is seeking that these be accomplished in the prescribed format. Officers of the department are also assisting and facilitating the process ensuring that the NGO’s are able to comply.

The actual biometric data gathering in orphanages, shelters and other childcare institutions will be done by the Department of Science and Technology. Landline phones, access to the Internet or email ID will also be made mandatory for these facilities in order to expedite communication.

Children newly admitted into childcare homes and orphanages will also be subject to biometric data gathering. The NCPCR has also been subsequently informed of the measures.

Article Topics

authentication  |  biometrics  |  education  |  fingerprint recognition  |  fingerprint verification  |  government  |  government purchasing  |  secure identification  |  workforce management