Ganderbal, Aug 5 (JKNS): In compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in G. Ganesh v. State of Tamil Nadu & Others and the action points approved by the Hon’ble Juvenile Justice Committee of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh regarding the protection of missing and trafficked children, also for the effective implementation of the NALSA (Child-Friendly Legal Services for Children) Scheme, 2024.
A coordination meeting was convened today by the Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Ganderbal, in his office chamber.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Ganderbal; Ms. Farah Bashir, Principal Magistrate, Juvenile Justice Board, Ganderbal; Ms. Shubana Hamid, Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee, Ganderbal; Inspector Irfan Ahmed Wani, District Police Juvenile Officer (DPJO); Mr. Bashir Ahmed, District Child Protection Officer (DCPO); members of the Legal Services Unit for Children (LSUC); and other concerned stakeholders.
During the meeting, a comprehensive review was undertaken regarding the implementation of the NALSA (Child-Friendly Legal Services for Children) Scheme, 2024. Deliberations focused on strengthening coordination among DLSA, JJB, CWC, Juvenile Police Unit, Anti Trafficking Unit and Child Protection Authorities, ensuring timely legal aid to Children in Conflict with Law (CCLs) and Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCPs), conducting awareness and outreach programmes, ensuring accessibility of legal services to children with disabilities, dissemination of IEC material, and monitoring and reporting of activities under the Scheme.
During the coordination meeting, the Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee, Ganderbal informed that 47 missing children cases had been reported, all of whom have been successfully traced and restored. It was further submitted that no missing child case is presently pending before the Child Welfare Committee, Ganderbal.
The District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) presented the status of the functioning of the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) and informed that the DCPU has a sanctioned and working strength of 13 officials, including 03 Child Protection Officers, 01 Counsellor and 03 Social Workers.
He further informed that institutional care facilities comprising Child Care Institutions for boys and girls, a Specialised Adoption Agency, Child Helpline (1098) and Child Help Desk are functional. It was also submitted that non-institutional care services such as Sponsorship and Adoption are being effectively implemented.
The DCPO further apprised the meeting that the Child Helpline (1098) remains operational round the clock and rescue, restoration and rehabilitation of children are being carried out in coordination with the Police, Child Welfare Committee, Special Juvenile Police Unit, Child Protection Officers and Child Care Institutions in accordance with the Juvenile Justice Act.
It was also informed that no deficiencies requiring intervention of the Government presently exist.
The Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Ganderbal, emphasized the need for sustained coordination and prompt action among all stakeholders to ensure effective protection, rescue, restoration and rehabilitation of children and directed all concerned officers to implement the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the Hon’ble Juvenile Justice Committee and the NALSA (Child-Friendly Legal Services for Children) Scheme, 2024 in their true letter and spirit. (JKNS)