Caretakers of creches to be trained, CCTVs a must: Government

Mumbai: In the backdrop of recent child abuse in a Kharghar creche where toddlers were beaten, the state government on Friday assured the Legislative Council that guidelines would be formed for the baby day care centres. Caretakers would be given training to handle babies and CCTV cameras would be installed to monitor the caretakers. The assurance from the government has come after a 10-month-old girl was beaten up and kicked at a creche in Kharghar by a caretaker. 

“It is true that there has to be a policy for the creches for the protection of the babies. We will convene a meeting with Women and Child Welfare department to prepare guidelines for the creches,” minister of state for Urban Development, Ranjit Patil, said. 

Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe said that the police did not even register a complaint in the first place when the mother of the victim went to the police station. “The accused could have hidden evidences in that period. The government should take action against the API,” Ms Gorhe said. 

Mr Patil agreed the API’s behaviour was “not good and he should have immediately taken action.” “We will conduct an inquiry of the official. We will make CCTV cameras in creches compulsory to know what kind of treatment is given to children, food provided etc,” the minister added. 

Chairman of the Council Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar said day care centres charge money from the parents and hence it’s a commercial activity. The caretakers should be given basic training to handle the children, he said.

The Kharghar incident came to light when the CCTV footage of Purva Play School and Creche, a day care centre for children at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai, was analysed by the police and the infant’s parents.