Srinagar, Oct 21: Peoples Conference president Sajad Lone on Wednesday raised concerns over the non-constitution of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that children in distress and juveniles in conflict with law have been left without the institutional support mandated under the juvenile justice framework.
In a statement, posted on X, Lone said the tenure of the existing CWCs and JJBs had expired and the government had failed to constitute new bodies despite granting a six-month extension to their chairpersons and members.
Referring to an order issued by the Directorate of Mission Vatsalya on October 12, 2026, Lone said the document acknowledged that the new CWCs and JJBs were yet to be constituted, raising questions about the arrangements for dealing with cases involving children following the expiry of the extension.
According to the order, the tenure of most CWCs and JJBs expired on April 15, 2026. The government subsequently granted a six-month extension to their existing chairpersons and members through an order dated April 20, 2026. The extension was due to expire on October 13, while the new bodies had not been constituted.
The Mission Vatsalya directorate has directed District Child Protection Officers (DCPOs) to take custody of official files, records, registers, case files and other documents pertaining to the functioning of the committees and boards in their respective districts.
The order also states that, during the intervening period, matters relating to children in need of care and protection will be attended to by the concerned Protection Officers, along with supporting staff, under the supervision of DCPOs. Principal Magistrates of JJBs are to be assisted by Legal-cum-Probation Officers and other staff of the District Child Protection Units in matters concerning children in conflict with law.
However, Lone questioned whether these arrangements could ensure the discharge of responsibilities otherwise entrusted to the statutory bodies, particularly in cases requiring urgent intervention.
Recalling the rollout of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) in Jammu and Kashmir in 2016-17, Lone said it had established an institutional framework for children needing care and protection and those in conflict with law.
He said the framework was particularly significant in Jammu and Kashmir, where, according to him, there had been a high incidence of minors being arrested by police and no adequate institutional mechanism to protect them.
Lone said the system required children in conflict with law to be brought before Juvenile Justice Boards, while Child Welfare Committees dealt with children in need of care and protection, ensuring a child-friendly approach.
Describing the rollout as a milestone in juvenile justice, he said there remained considerable scope for improvement but the basic institutional network had been established.
He also criticised the increasing reliance on outsourced personnel in the child protection system, arguing that such arrangements could undermine the ability of staff to intervene effectively when dealing with police officials in cases involving minors.
Lone further questioned the status of the proposed Jammu and Kashmir State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, saying its establishment had been advertised more than a year ago but it remained non-functional.
He alleged that the failure to constitute the CWCs and JJBs, alongside the absence of a functional child rights commission, reflected serious shortcomings in the administration of child protection mechanisms in the Union Territory.
The Mission Vatsalya order directs all DCPOs to ensure the systematic and documented transfer of records, with particular attention to the confidentiality and security of information concerning children. It also requires the officers to submit compliance reports after completing the takeover process.
Lone held the elected government responsible for the lapse and said the absence of the statutory bodies raised serious questions about the protection available to children in distress and juveniles in conflict with law.
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