Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 17: Government has informed the High Court that it would place the final decision with regard to the constitution of Commission for Protection of Child Rights and appointment of its Chairperson along with members in a sealed cover on the next date of hearing.
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The Division Bench of Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal has deferred the hearing of the matter after the Government counsel submitted before the bench that he will place the final results before the court with regard to constitution for Protection of Child Rights Commission on next date of hearing.
The Secretary Social Welfare Department on previous date had assured the court with regard to the constitution of Commission for Protection of Child Rights. “Adjourned to 23.04.2026. Meanwhile, Zahid Qais Noor, the counsel for the respondents, submits that he will place the final results before the Court in a sealed cover on the adjourned date”, reads the order.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal after perusal of previous proceedings in the matter said, despite repeated orders passed by this Court, the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, has not been constituted which had prompted the court seeking personal appearance of Secretary Social Welfare Department.
The authorities have received 548 applications and 21 applicants have been shortlisted for the post of Chairperson as per the eligibility criteria set out in the advertisement and further 28 applicants have been shortlisted for the post of members.
The committee had previously convened two meetings on the issue and upon scrutinizing the applications received, it shortlisted three candidates for the post of Chairperson and four for the post of members, with two candidates being considered for both posts.
The committee after thorough deliberations recommended the eligibility criteria as well as process for the appointment to the said posts to the competent authority, the approval for which is awaited.
As there is already a delay in appointment of members of the Protection of Child Rights Commission as such the division bench on March 27 2024 had directed the authorities to produce the process of selection before the court.
The Court took matter with the utmost seriousness and had observed that it deserves in view of the important statutory role the Commission plays and made it clear that in default the court would be compelled to call the concerned official to remain present in person before this Court to explain before it.
The J&K Social Welfare Department has constituted a five Member Committee to recommend for appointment to the posts of Chairperson and Members, J&K Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
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