The findings by the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports paint a troubling picture of the state of women and child welfare initiatives in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the robust framework of Centrally Sponsored Schemes such as the Nirbhaya Fund, Poshan Abhiyan, and Mission Vatsalya, their implementation in J&K remains alarmingly inadequate. This mismatch between intent and execution not only highlights administrative inefficiencies but also undermines the objectives of empowerment, safety, and nourishment for the most vulnerable sections of society-women and children.
One of the most glaring violations pertains to the underwhelming implementation of Women Helpdesks in police stations across the Union Territory. Of the 150 Women Helpdesks established under the Nirbhaya Fund-a dedicated corpus created in response to the 2012 Delhi gang rape case to enhance women’s safety-only 29 are headed by women officers. This is in blatant contravention of the fund’s guidelines, which clearly state that such helpdesks should be led by women police personnel, ideally of the rank of Junior Sub-Inspector or Assistant Sub-Inspector. The idea behind this is simple yet powerful: women feel more comfortable, secure, and willing to report crimes or seek support when they are interacting with female officers in a dedicated, approachable space. The lack of compliance not only strips these helpdesks of their intended purpose but also discourages women from seeking assistance in times of need. It points to a larger issue of gender insensitivity and administrative apathy towards the very schemes designed to protect and empower women. Appointing male officers to these posts dilutes the purpose of the initiative and indicates a lack of commitment to gender-focused policing reforms.
Equally concerning is the slow pace of upgrading Anganwadi Centres in J&K. Of the 338 centres approved for improvement over the past three years, only 135 have actually been upgraded. These centres are vital for delivering nutrition, early education, and healthcare to children under the age of six. They serve as the first institutional interface for young children and their mothers, especially in rural and underserved areas. The delay in upgrading such centres hampers the objectives of integrated child development, including physical growth, cognitive stimulation, and school readiness.
What makes this situation even more disheartening is that adequate funds have been allocated-but remain unutilised. As of February 21, 2025, a whopping Rs 5,095.68 lakh remained unspent under the Poshan Abhiyan in the State Nodal Agency account. This flagship scheme of the Central Government aims to improve the nutritional status of children, adolescent girls, and pregnant and lactating women. In a region where malnutrition and anaemia continue to pose significant health challenges, non-utilisation of funds borders on criminal neglect. Similarly, under Mission Vatsalya-formerly the Integrated Child Protection Scheme-Rs 3.76 crore remains unspent. This mission is designed to safeguard children in difficult circumstances, offering them care, protection, and rehabilitation. The unspent funds reflect a lack of urgency in addressing child protection issues, which could have long-term ramifications on the psychological and emotional development of affected children.
These are not isolated failures; they point to systemic lapses that require immediate redressal. The Union Territory administration must introspect and address why such crucial schemes are faltering despite the availability of funds and a clearly laid-out policy framework. The administration must develop a robust monitoring mechanism, ensure timely disbursal and utilisation of funds, and hold accountable those responsible for delays or non-compliance. Moreover, the recruitment and deployment of women officers in police stations must be prioritised to fulfil the larger goal of creating a responsive and gender-sensitive law enforcement system.
Central schemes are only as effective as their local implementation. While the Central Government has shown commitment through financial and policy support, the onus now lies on the J&K administration to bridge the gap between vision and reality.
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