Lok Sabha Question No. 5685 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-26
Subject: Juvenile Justice System in Jammu & Kashmir
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Hasnain Masoodi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5685

TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2019

## JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN JAMMU & KASHMIR

## 5685.   SHRI HASNAIN MASOODI:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken by the Ministry to strengthen juvenile justice system in Jammu and Kashmir;
- (b) whether the Ministry has any proposal to strengthen alternative care mechanism for children in need of care and protection in Jammu and Kashmir;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Ministry have any proposal to set up residential school for children in need of care and protection in Anantnag or in South Kashmir; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a): As per information provided by the State Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir, to strengthen Juvenile Justice System in the State, Juvenile Justice Boards, Child Welfare Committees and District Child Protection Units have been set up in all the 22 Districts of the State.  The Special Juvenile Police Units have been set up in all the 25 Police Districts of the State. Child Protection Committees at Village  and  Block  Level  have  also  been  set  up.  Three  (03)  Observation  Homes  have  been approved during the year 2018-19 in addition to already existing two (02) Observation Homes one (01)  each at  Srinagar  and Jammu. The State Government has approved setting up of four (4) Shelter Homes for boys and girls at Srinagar and Jammu. The State has also approved setting up of 44 Children Homes for Boys and Girls in all the 22 Districts of the State. The Juvenile Justice Boards  have  been  connected  with  Video  Conferencing  system  with  the  Observations  Homes. Two Cradle Baby Reception Centers have also been set up at Srinagar and Jammu in addition to the  Help  desk  at  the  Maternity  Hospital  Srinagar.  Sponsorships  have  been  provided  to  1298 Children in the State. In addition to the above, the State has set up State Child Protection Society governed by the Executive Committee and also by the Governing Committee. Under Rule 89 of Jammu and Kashmir Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules, 2014, Selection Cum Oversight Committee (SCOC) headed by a Retired Judge of the Hon'ble High Court has been  set  up  for  monitoring  of  the  Juvenile  Justice  System.  The  Commission  for  Protection  of Women and Child Rights has also been constituted.
- (b) & (c): All the Health Institutions have been directed to set up Cradle Baby Points for taking care of abandoned and surrendered  Children.  Fit  Persons  and  Fit  Institutions  have  been  declared  for alternate care. State Government has projected 15000 Children for sponsorship during the year 2019-20
- (d) & (e): The State Government has approved Children Homes to be set up in all the 22 Districts for Boys and Girls  including  District  Anantnag  to  be  run  under  Child  Protection  Service  (erstwhile Integrated Child Protection Scheme).

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