Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 18: The Government has apprised the High Court with regard to the selection process of chairperson and members for State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Commission (SCPCRC) and sought further time to update the process.
The information with regard to the selection process of chairperson and members of the SCPCRC has been given to the Division Bench of Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal in terms of the order passed by the court on June 30.
The Sr. AAG has furnished a fresh status report in the Court, which is taken on record. Accordingly, he submitted that out of 548 applications that were received by the authorities, 21 applicants have been shortlisted for the post of chairperson as per the eligibility criteria set out in the advertisement.
Further 28 applicants have been shortlisted for the post of members. He submitted the proceedings be deferred by six weeks’ to apprise the Court of any further development in the matter.
As there is already a delay in appointment of members of the Commission as such the Division Bench directed the authorities to apprise the court for further development on the next date of hearing.
The J&K Social Welfare Department has already constituted a five member committee to recommend for appointment to the posts of Chairperson and Members, J&K Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
In fact, rules have been framed which were notified on 21.10.2022 and under the circumstances, the counsel for the department was asked to apprise the Court as to the progress of the constitution of J&K Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
It is noted that Section 44 of The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 mandates monitoring of effective implementation of the provisions of the aforesaid Act by the concerned State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
But no such Commission has been constituted in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir as well as in UT of Ladakh till date. Considering the statutory role assigned to the Commission for effective implementation of the Act, court has already observed that non-constitution would be a serious lapse on the part of the authorities concerned.
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