Srinagar: The government on Monday constituted a district-level task force in each district of Jammu and Kashmir for providing care and protection to children affected and infected by the COVID-19.
As per the order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the seven-member committee will be headed by respective district development commissioners while chief medical officer, additional superintendent of police, district social welfare officer, chairman of child welfare committee or in his absence any member of the committee and an NGO running a childcare institution nominated by the district magistrate will be its members and district child protection officer will be its member secretary.
“Sanction is hereby accorded to constitution of District Level task Force, comprising the following, in each District, for providing care and protection to children infected by COVID-19 as well as children of COVID-19 infected parents in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” reads the order.
The order stated that the committee will compile details of all adults who have died due to COVID-19 and find out any children orphaned or children in need of care and protection.
“To produce such children before the Child Welfare Committee, which shall decide their rehabilitation such as adoption, foster care, sponsorship etc and institutionalization as the last resort as per the provisions of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.”
As per the order the committee will place such children in temporary shelters, whose parents are undergoing COVID-19 treatment and are left without relative(s) or guardian (s) to take necessary care.
“To provide psychological and counseling support to children infected and affected due to COVID-19 as well as children of COVID affected parents. To ensure timely referral of children infected with COVID-19 to treatment centers along with ensuring their nutritional support during post treatment period and to identify and design one registered childcare institution in each district and make arrangements for such institutions as COVID care centers exclusively for children.”
The order further stated that the District Level Task Force shall meet every week and as and when required for providing intervention programmes for care and protection of these children.
As per the order the district collector shall be responsible for conveying the meeting of the task force and submit a status report once in every 15 days to the government. (KNO)
