Srinagar, Oct 201: The J&K government is planning to create a dedicated department for women and children in the state.
This was disclosed by the Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, who informed the J&K High Court today that the matter with regard to creation of a dedicated department for the women and children is considered at the highest level and that a report in this regard shall be placed before this court within one month.
The court was hearing a petition on the non-implementation of Juvenile Justice Act 2013.
A retired High Court judge supervising the issue has in an October 16 report to the court pointed out the pitiable conditions in which the children are being compelled to exist in child-care institutions in the state.
The judge has also emphasized the imperative need of regulation and certification of child-care centers as well as regular inspections of such centres whether run by the government or the NGOs.
He has also stressed the need for creation of neonatology centers separate from the hospitals.
The Secretary Social Welfare Department informed the court that an advertisement for recruitment against 128 posts in various categories, as required for the child-care institutions under the Jammu & Kashmir Juveniles Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2013, was issued in May 2018.
“The recruitment process should in any case be completed within a period of three months from today. The status report in this regard shall be placed before us,” a division bench directed the government.
“The deficiency which has been noticed by us in our previous orders is the lack of recreation and sports facilities in child-care institutions,” observed the court.
The court further directed that orders issued by the authorities with regard to Special Juvenile Police Units, Juvenile Police Officers/ Child Welfare Officers nominated be placed on record of the court.
