By Our Correspondent
Bhairahawa, Jan. 17: A total of 73 children are now in Juvenile Correction Home in Bhairahawa, which has the capacity to accommodate only 60 children at a time. The correction home currently has been accommodating children from 18 districts from Jhapa to Rolpa.
Due to the overflow of juveniles in the correction home, it is becoming difficult for the children to carry out their daily lifestyle.

Also, it has been revealed that the children are deprived of their access to psychological counselling, and quality food and education.
"Correctional homes are set up to host children who are in conflict with the law. Thus, they must be entitled to all basic facilities. The constitution has also provided children with these rights," said advocate Shiva Gaudel, "In this correctional home, children are placed without providing minimum facilities."

According to chief child conservation officer Subhadra Gautam, following the increase in COVID-19 cases, the parents have not come to visit their children.
"Daily, the government provides 700 grams rice and Rs. 60 to the children in detention, which is not enough to provide them with the basic facilities," Gautam said, adding, "The allowances provided by the government is enough to buy vegetables for morning and evening. The budget falls short even to provide lunch to the children and provide other entertainment materials."
The children in the correction home have been complaining that they are facing difficulties due to the lack of enough food.

Ramesh BK (name changed) of Naubahini Rural Municipality said that the lack of basic facilities was making the children suffer by making them mentally and physically ill.
The Convention on Rights of Child, 1989, and Children's Act, 2017 have stressed on conservation and development of children.
"But due to the delay in judgements on cases relating to juveniles, they are compelled to stay in the correctional home for a long period of time," said Gautam.

According to the Children's Act, 2017 judgement of cases relating to juveniles should be done within 120 days. However, in reality, juveniles in correctional homes are waiting for judgement for two years.
Gautam further stated that due to the absence of a teacher in the correction home, children willing to study would be admitted to Bhairahawa Namuna Secondary School.

Similarly, Mayor of Siddharthanagar Municipality Hari Prasad Adhikari said that he had visited three to four times and had found out that the children were placed in a well-facilitated room. Adhikari added that preparations were underway to set up a correction home in a bigger area with all facilities.