Chief Secretary, B B Vyas today chaired a meeting to review the progress on implementation of J&K, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2013 and rules thereto viz a viz roll out of Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) in the state.The meeting was attended by Special Director General of Police (Nodal Officer, SJPU), Special Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Asif Hamid Khan, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Mohammad Iqbal Lone, Secretary, Social Welfare Department Babu Ram, Mission Director ICDS G R Sufi, Director Social Welfare Jammu, Veer Ji Hangloo, Director Social Welfare Kashmir, Mohammad Qasim Wani, Secretary J&K Social Welfare Board, Shahid Mehmood and other concerned officers.During the meeting, the Chief Secretary was informed about the steps taken so far for implementation of the Act in the state. The meeting was further told that Social Welfare Department has taken steps for constitution of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights in the state.Special Secretary, Social welfare Department Asif Hamid Khan apprised the Chief Secretary that the department has already vetted the bill and the matter shall soon be placed before competent authority for approval to promulgation of Ordinance.
The meeting discussed briefly the organizational setup of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights with assigned role and duties. Further it was given out that all 22 District Child Protection Units have been established with appointment of officer in-charge besides, 8 Juvenile Justice Boards which are being headed by 8 Judges.Deliberate discussions were made on other related issues and progress of initiatives already taken in this regard.Addressing the officers, B B Vyas stressed for expediting the process of constituting Commission for Protection of Child Rights so that rights of children be protected in an effective manner.The Chief Secretary asked for expediting the process of preparation of DPRs for establishment of Observation Homes in the state. He also sought details on the status of works at orphanages at R S Pura in Jammu and Harwan in Kashmir.Regarding rehabilitation of orphans, Chief Secretary asked the concerned for developing a comprehensive framework for proper rehabilitation of such children’s.The Chief Secretary also reviewed J&K Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Ordinance which are being brought at par with the respective Central Acts and procurement of Nutrition under Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS for Anganwari Centres).