UT sticks with ₹20L deposit for new group home admissions

Six months after the social welfare department took possession of a newly constructed group home, admissions are set to begin next week, but a contentious ₹20 lakh security deposit continues to loom large, creating a barrier for many families.

- Priyanka Thakur

CHANDIGARH: The administration has remained firm on the deposit amount, despite repeated appeals from parents.

Director of social welfare Palika Arora confirmed that a public notice for admissions would be issued next week. This follows several delays, with the initial target of January 27 slipping by. The department is finalising its admission standard operating procedure (SOP), which will be published on its website alongside the public notice.

Addressing the high security fund, Arora explained, "If a resident is unable to pay or their parents pass away, we don't want to evict them due to their special needs. The security amount is designed to address this with due permission from the administrator. In case of payment defaults, the amount can be recovered from the fund."