CAG report flags gaps in child protection system and care institutions

New Delhi: The CAG report tabled in Delhi Assembly on Monday has flagged glaring gaps in the system meant to protect vulnerable children. The audit, covering the period between April 2018 and March 2021, points to deep structural problems -- from failure to identify at-risk children to lapses in funding, staffing, oversight, and even basic care.At the heart of the crisis is a breakdown in identifying and tracking children in need. District child protection units (DCPUs), mandated under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) to maintain district-wise databases, did not create such records in any of the four units reviewed, the report noted. Instead, authorities relied largely on police, NGOs and individuals to bring children into the system.While govt claimed a 2018 survey identified over 73,000 vulnerable children, no report was shared with auditors. Only about 34,000 children were housed in care institutions, highlighting a wide gap between the scale of need and the system’s response.Funding delays further weakened implementation. Budget proposals were submitted months late, and funds meant for childcare institutions were often released well into, or even after, the financial year.Between 2018-19 and 2020-21, key activities, including surveys and improvements to living conditions in govt-run homes, were not carried out, leading to significant unspent balances. Against a total allocation of Rs 5,192.5 lakh, only Rs 3,636.6 lakh was spent, leaving 22% to 38% of funds unused across these years. This disrupted basic functioning, delaying staff salaries and affecting essentials like food provision.Severe staff shortages compounded the problem. Vacancies of up to 76% were recorded in critical roles, such as probation officers, counsellors and educators across govt-run childcare institutions (CCIs). In several cases, mandatory training for child welfare committee (CWC) members was not conducted, leaving them ill-equipped to carry out their responsibilities. CWCs also failed to consistently track children after issuing care orders or use available tools, such as facial recognition systems, to help reunite missing children with their families, the report noted.Infrastructure and living conditions in many homes fell short of prescribed standards. Inspections flagged cracked ceilings, seepage, unhygienic toilets, lack of safe drinking water, and overcrowded or poorly equipped study spaces. In one shelter, 28 children shared seating meant for just 10, forcing many to study on the floor.Basic services were equally inadequate. Children faced shortages of nutrition, clothing, bedding, and toiletries, along with limited access to medical care. Education remained a major concern, with only 54% of children receiving formal schooling, the report said.Similar deficiencies were found in aftercare homes, which support children transitioning out of institutions after turning 18, raising concerns about their preparedness for reintegration into society. Beyond institutional care, rehabilitation through adoption, foster care and sponsorship also faced delays. Processes such as uploading child study reports and medical examination reports as well as declaring children legally free for adoption by specialised adoption agencies were often held up at multiple stages.CAG underscored that without proper identification of vulnerable children, policy planning and implementation will remain fundamentally flawed. It called for time-bound surveys, timely release of funds, adequate staffing and training and strict adherence to minimum standards of care to strengthen the child protection system.