Srinagar, May 27: In a significant move, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has expressed concern over non-functioning of juvenile justice system in Jammu and Kashmir. It has asked the state Government to update its Juvenile Justice Act in line with the Central Act.
“In view of the non-functional juvenile justice system in the state, the existing juvenile justice legislation for Jammu and Kashmir needs to be re-examined and institutions like observation homes established,” the NCPCR has written to Chief Secretary, S S Kapoor.
During its visit in December last year, the Commission had received number of complaints about arrest of minors and then putting them in lock ups instead of juvenile homes.
“The state’s Juvenile Justice Act needs to be updated and also brought in line with the Act that is applicable in the rest of the country,” NCPCR has said.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights was set up in March 2007 under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, an Act of Parliament (December 2005).
The Commission’s mandate is to ensure that all laws, policies, programmes and administrative mechanisms are in consonance with the Child Rights perspective as enshrined in the Constitution of India and also the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Child is defined as a person in the 0 to 18 years age group.
Pointing out that presently the JK has no specialized agencies like Child Welfare Committees or Juvenile Justice Boards or homes for children, the Commission said that a revised legislation, if implemented effectively, would contribute greatly towards the protection and welfare of children,” the NCPCR has recommended.
Sources said NCPCR has asked the Government to take up the matter on an urgent basis and “be completed before the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) is implemented in the state.
“Following discussions with the officials and civil society members regarding the ICPS, the Commission feels considerable groundwork including a stronger Act is required in the state before the scheme can be implemented,” recommendations said. “The Commission also discussed the issue of abandoned children and the fact that homes are urgently required under the juvenile justice system to provide protection to them.”
The Commission has asked the Chief Secretary to simplify procedures for easier access to government schemes and incentives for children such as cash incentives. “The Commission felt there was need to review the procedure required to access these schemes, including providing income certification every year.” It has pointed out that though there were several cash-rich programmes for children and schemes involving cash transfers, there was a need to evolve a sustainable policy for capacity building, institution building and better service delivery. “Such a policy would enable families deprived of breadwinners to support themselves independently.”

Lastupdate on : Thu, 27 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 27 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 IST