Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 12: The High Court has directed the authorities to remove whatever deficiencies are in children homes and orphanages in the Valley.
The direction has been given to Mission Director ICPS who was under command to remove the pointed out deficiencies by the amicus curie and senior counsel B A Bashir while visiting some of the children homes and orphanages situated in the Valley.
Advocate Bashir in terms of previous direction was asked to suggest points of action to the affidavit of Commissioner Secretary SWD. He has prepared the response and filed it before the court.
“In his inspection report various deficiencies have been pointed out which the DyAG stated that he has prepared affidavit and will file it in the Registry during the course of the week with copy in advance to amicus so as to enable him to assist the Court”, the DB said.
Amicus in his response/visit report stated that he has been visiting orphanages at Shalimar and Girls Children Home at Chadoora only and all other children homes in the Valley or in Jammu or Leh have not been visited by anybody to find out the status of children residing therein.
“That the pathetic condition of Chadoora Girls Home has already been brought to the notice of this court by filing visit report in October itself which is on record. What improvements have taken place with regard to the deficiencies pointed out therein and vis-a-vis the Act is to be explained by the other side who have not provided any response in this behalf till date, despite directions from the court on October 12 to Mission Director ICPS, to remove the same immediately”, response of amicus read.
It has also been revealed in the report that it was as suggested as well as directed by the court that a meeting should be organized with the Chief Secretary in which he (amicus) should be associated also to discuss and point out the deficiencies and chalk out the course of action for taking corrective measures but unfortunately no such meeting was organized or held till date.
That as far as the affidavit of Social Welfare Department is concerned, it is stated that perusal of the same showed that authorities are admitting the position that children homes in the State are not running in the State as per the Act therefore it needs to be explained by them keeping the deficiencies mentioned by the authorities in the affidavit. “What improvements have taken place in this behalf till date, so that this court would be in a position to find out what further appropriate directions need to be passed to meet the requirements under the (Juvenile Justice (protection & care of children) Act”, response of amicus further read.
Appearing counsel for J&K State Sports Council informed the court for providing sporting facilities to the inmates of the orphanages matter has been taken up with the Commissioner Secretary of Technical Education and Youth Services & Sports department on November 27.
Court in this connection directed the Commissioner concerned to take a decision on the basis of the recommendation for releasing the requisite amount so as to enable the concerned to provide sporting facilities in the orphanage and directed for listing of PIL on December 19 for further consideration.
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