BANGALORE: There seems to be no visible change in the condition of the Observation Home in Madiwala since the escape of 40 juveniles in January.

Much hullabaloo was created and the Government functionaries, led by Minister for Women and Child Welfare H.K. Kumaraswamy, had visited it and promised a lot, particularly about providing better infrastructure, strengthening its staff and security.

On ground, nothing much as changed, except for the replacement of its superviser. So much so that the lack of infrastructure has affected the working of the Juvenile Justice Board, a three-member board which is empowered to release those aged below 18 after conducting a hearing.

It is, however, unable to deliver the order in time as there is only one probationary officer who has to conduct all the investigation for the board.

A key official dealing with cases, who spoke on condition of anonymity, regretted that the Probationary Officer takes a long time to submit reports based on which the board takes a decision.

"The only probationary officer is entrusted with other administrative work too," the official added. "Lack of transport facility makes it hard for him to visit the places where the juveniles come from," says Nomita Chandy, Secretary of Ashraya, a child rights organisation that is on the Home Committee of the Observation Home.

The Department of Prosecution has been asked to provide services of two public prosecutors so that the board sits more often.

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