Homes for Intellectually Impaired Persons scheme, introduced by the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra, aims to provide shelter, care, and protection to Mentally Deficient Children (MDCs). These children are admitted to shelter homes through the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) under the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2000 and its Amendment Act, 2006. Maharashtra has 19 MDC homes, of which 14 are granted and 5 are non-granted.
Key Benefits
- Comprehensive Care:
- Free facilities including food, shelter, and care & protection.
- Safe Environment:
- Shelter homes provide a nurturing environment for children in need.
- Specialized Assistance:
- Homes are tailored for the care of mentally deficient children.
Eligibility Criteria
- Citizenship: The applicant must be a citizen of India.
- Residency: The applicant must be a permanent resident of Maharashtra.
- Status: The applicant must be:
- An orphan, and
- A Mentally Deficient Child (MDC) in need of care and protection.
- Disability Criteria: The percentage of disability must be 40% or above.
Application Process
Offline Application Steps:
- Visit the Child Welfare Committee (CWC):
- Go to the district CWC office and request the application form.
- Fill Out the Application:
- Complete all required fields and paste a passport-sized photograph (signed across if necessary).
- Attach Documents:
- Self-attest and attach the mandatory documents listed below.
- Submit the Application:
- Submit the completed form to the concerned CWC office.
- Obtain Receipt:
- Request a receipt/acknowledgment with details such as submission date and unique identification number.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card.
- 2 Passport-Sized Photographs (signed across).
- Proof of Age: Birth certificate or equivalent.
- Residential Certificate/Domicile Certificate (Maharashtra).
- Disability Certificate (indicating 40% or higher disability).
- Bank Account Details: Account number, bank name, branch address, IFSC code.
- Any additional document requested by the Child Welfare Committee.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Queries
- What is the full form of MDC?
Mentally Deficient Child. - When was the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act enacted?
It was enacted in 2000 and amended in 2006. - How many MDC homes are non-granted under this scheme?
There are 5 non-granted homes. - What facilities are provided in MDC homes?
Free food, shelter, care, and protection. - Is it mandatory for the child to be an orphan?
Yes, the scheme is designed for orphaned children. - Are applicants from neighboring states eligible?
No, only permanent residents of Maharashtra are eligible.
Eligibility
- Is the Residential Certificate of Maharashtra mandatory?
Yes, a valid Residential/Domicile Certificate is required. - Is there a disability percentage criterion?
Yes, the disability must be 40% or higher. - Is there an income-related criterion for eligibility?
No, there is no income-related criterion for this scheme.
Additional Information
- Funding: This is a state-funded scheme managed by the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance, Maharashtra.
- No Application Fee: There is no fee for applying to this scheme.
- Grievances: Complaints can be submitted to the district social welfare offices or through the department’s grievance redressal system.
Resources
- Guidelines: Detailed scheme guidelines available on the official website.
- Contact Information: Addresses of district CWCs and social welfare offices can be obtained from the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance.
- Website: For more details, visit the official Social Justice Department, Maharashtra website.
This guide provides a detailed overview of the Homes for Intellectually Impaired Persons scheme to help eligible individuals access its benefits effectively