Mumbai:
In the background of the alleged rape of five mentally challenged girls at an orphanage near here, Maharashtra government will frame a comprehensive policy to protect the girls staying in orphanages across the state.
Home Minister RR Patil today told the Legislative Council that, in 15 days, the state government would come up with a policy for the protection of the girls staying in orphanages.
"We would come up with a policy within 15 days to ensure protection of mentally challenged girls staying in orphanages. Regular reviews would also be conducted of ashrams by the department of Women and Child Welfare," Patil said.
Seven persons, including a founder director of a private-run orphanage home in Navi Mumbai, were arrested in connection with the rape of five mentally challenged female inmates, three of them minors, in the beginning of the month.
Patil was replying to a question raised by NCP MLC Usha Darade on action taken by the state government in connection with the rape of two mentally challenged girls in the Beed district in the last three months.
The home minister provided assurance of financial assistance from the Chief Minister's fund to the kin of the victims of rape since they come from poor backgrounds.