Glaring irregularities found at home for mentally challenged children

Tribune News Service

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Jalandhar, July 24

Glaring irregularities were noted by Manila Chugh, Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Kapurthala, on a surprise visit to Sukhjit Ashram, a  home for mentally challenged children here this afternoon. 

The DLSA said that as she entered the premises the inmates opened the locks of the main iron gate with a key. She also found that the gate entry register was torn. Further there were discrepancies as the data of the the gate entry register did not match with the donation register regarding the number of visitors. The CJM also found the mentally challenged inmates eating food on floor in pitiable condition. Another inmate was found to be washing utensils used for serving lunch. She noted that the renovation work was going on at snail pace. Congress grass had grown up to the height of 4 to 5 feet around the entire home to which the inmates had open and easy access. She also observed that 'Jhuggi Wala' encroachers used entrance of the Ashram to throw their garbage. Even the condition to the main road which leads to Sukhjit Ashram full of potholes.The DLSA also found that there was no superintendent in the Ashram despite it being a residential centre.