NCPCR holds redressal bench on child rights violations, welfare

Chairs Inter-departmental review meeting on child rights

Leh, June 16: The first ever grievance redressal bench on matters of child rights violations and welfare was held at DC Conference Hall Leh today. The redressal bench was organised by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in collaboration with District Administration Leh, UT Ladakh.

In the first session, Honourable Chairperson NCPCR, Priyank Kanoongo chaired an inter-departmental review meeting on child rights. After reviewing the works of the concerned departments, including Social Welfare, Education, Labour department related to the grievances of child protection and rights in the region, Chairperson directed the departments and concerned organisations to ensure that the child rights are given utmost priority in all aspects. He directed Border Roads Organisation to look into cases of labourers childrens’ rights and instructed to set-up pre-fabricated camps to provide Anganwadi facilities to children of labourers working for them.

The Chairperson NCPCR, reiterated the departments to ensure the availability of elementary schools for the children within the defined area under RTE Act. He exhorted to ensure that children of migrant labourers and Children in Street Situations (CISS) are not denied admission in schools on non-availability of documents such as Aadhar and Transfer certificate, etc.

Chairperson NCPCR, directed the labour department to form District Task Force to look into the matters of child labours. He also informed the department to collect a proper data of absentee students from schools for more than 30 days, and directed to examine such cases from probable possibility of child labour.

Directions were also given for proper mapping of KGBV schools of both Leh and Kargil and to ensure that such govt hostels are run in full capacity.

Further, he appreciated the collaborative work of Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and Child Development Project Office (CDPO) witnessed in UT Ladakh.

Earlier, officers from concerned departments, including Social Welfare, Education. Labour and CWC briefed on the various cases and work done by the department for the grievances related to child protection and rights in the region. They apprised about various cases of Child in need of care and protection (CNCP), compensations/ benefits provided in POCSO cases, children in street situations (CISS), child labour and child adoption, etc. 

In the second session, the grievance redressal bench headed by Chairperson, NCPCR, Priyank Kanoongo addressed cases/incidents related to violation of child rights and welfare in the districts. The bench redressed grievances related to cases of POCSO Act, financial sponsorship, documentation related issues. To provide financial assistance to the children belonging to poor and distressed families, the parents were instructed to register with NRLM and NULM to earn livelihood opportunities. Cases pertaining to Children with Special Needs and PwDs were also addressed during the bench.

On the issues/challenges faced by the departments in execution of schemes intended for the welfare of children and beneficiaries, Chairperson NCPCR assured to further take up the matter with concerned ministries and redress them at the earliest. 

He further informed concerned departments to create awareness among the public about various government schemes related to financial assistance/ scholarships. POCSO Act, etc.

To redress the grievances and provide services instantaneously, stalls for Aadhar enrollment/updation, Golden card/ PMJAY registration, health check-up under RBSK along with stalls by banks, Social Welfare Department, DLSA, Health, NRLM, SHGs, etc were also installed during the camp.

Member, Secretary NCPCR, Rupali Banerjee; Commissioner Secretary, Social and Tribal Welfare, UT Ladakh, Padma Angmo; Deputy Magistrate, Leh, Shrikant Suse, Senior Superintendent of Police Leh, P D Nitya; ADC Leh; Senior Technical Experts from NCPCR; Expert Resource Person on Child Right; Consultant NCPCR and heads of various departments such as Social Welfare, Health, Education, Home, DLSA, Labour, Panchatyati Raj, BRO, JJB, CWC participated in the meetings.