The prolonged delay in appointing the Chairperson and Members of the Jammu & Kashmir Commission for Protection of Child Rights is a glaring example of administrative inertia, despite repeated judicial nudges. The process initiated more than 18 months ago, has yet to reach a logical conclusion, leaving a critical institution for the welfare and protection of children in the UT nonfunctional. The Commission, under the Commissions for the Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding children’s rights, addressing policy gaps, and ensuring compliance with international standards like the Convention on the Rights of the Child. By failing to operationalise this body, the Government risks neglecting the needs and rights of some of the most vulnerable members of society. While the Social Welfare Department has issued multiple notifications and extended deadlines to attract applicants, the lack of urgency in finalising the list of eligible candidates and submitting it to the High-Powered Committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary, is disheartening. The high number of applications reportedly received as of November 2024 should have spurred immediate action, but the department’s sluggishness suggests a lack of prioritisation.
The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has repeatedly emphasised the importance of establishing the Commission, underscoring the urgency of its formation. Yet, the Social Welfare Department’s casual assurances that “the process is on” only deepen public scepticism.
The Government must rise to the occasion and fulfil its duty to the youngest and most vulnerable members of society by operationalising the J&K Commission for Protection of Child Rights without further delay.
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