JAMMU: Two official communications impressing upon the authorities for termination of a member of Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) allegedly for ungainly behavior has exposed chinks in recently concluded selections of members of JJBs as well as Chairpersons and members of Children Welfare Committees (CWC) for all districts in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
Inviting attention of the Mission Director, Mission Vatsalya, J&K towards a serious matter which may jeopardize the welfare of children in conflict with law and objectives of Juvenile Justice Act (JJA), the Regional Director, National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) vide letter No NI/RCM/Induction-JJB/23/2023-24/208 dated 8/7/2023 seek action against one JJB member namely Yudvir Singh who was allegedly found in inebriated condition after skipping training programme on flimsy grounds.
Wake up to the communication of NIPCCD after 11 days in an era of e-governance, the Mission Director, Mission Vatsalya vide letter No MS/SC/76/2022/1052-1057 dated 19/07/2023 has implored Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department, J&K UT, Sheetal Nanda for termination of JJB, Udhampur member.
“Keeping in view the above circumstances, the appointment of shri Yudvir Singh s/o Mr. Suraj Singh r/o H.No 856, Jail Road, Udhampur as JJB member Udhampur is recommended for termination as the subject cannot be allowed to work in an institute where the Children in Conflict with Law and Children in Need of Care and Protection are dealt with” says the letter of Mission Director, Mission Vatsalya, J&K, Harvinder Kour.
Interestingly, even after lapse of one month, the SWD is still sleeping on a matter which was flagged as serious both by NIPCCD and Director MV, J&K.
Reacting to this development, officer of SWD on condition of anonymity said “Turning missionary posts into job bonanza for adjustment of favorites of shady Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) and political parties in absence of fool proof scrutiny of antecedents have started emanating foul smell which if not rectify with all desired sincerity will certainly undermine the objectives of Juvenile Justice Act (JJA) besides jeopardizing welfare of children in conflict with law”.
Matter dealing with Child Rights involving girls is a very sensitive task and the authorities must order CID verification to ascertain antecedents of candidates selected as Chairpersons /members of Commission for Protection of Child Rights, CWC besides members of JJBs, says an officer of SWD, adding “Child Rights is such an area where only prominent persons with proven integrity and missionary zeal can justify its contribution”.
The government must undertake necessary measures to weed out self styled Child Rights activists running ghost NGOs from unknown locations and generally known for rubbing shoulders with high and mighty in ACs rooms only for social laddering, revealed one senior officer of SWD.
Worthwhile to mentioned here that in recently concluded selections of Chairpersons as well as members of CWCs besides members of JJBs, the SWD has to face severe criticism allegedly for picking some undeserving candidates by twisting JJA 2016 rules.
Even, some candidates were selected despite the fact that they lack desired experience certificates as well relevant qualification in the relevant field. “Yudhvir Singh was selected as JJB member despite the fact that during scrutiny his checklist vividly shows lacking required experience” says an insider.
Further sharing inputs, sources said, “This is not the lone case when the JJB member in question was flagged for undesired behavior which is incompatible with working of Mission Vatsalya, Earlier, the District Social Welfare Officer, Udhampur vide letter No DCPO/U/CPS/256-59/2019-20 dated 18/07/2019 has issued an explanation call to him for exhibiting highest level of misconduct and immorality allegedly for attempts to engage in gender sensitive talks with the girls of varied age at Nari-Niketan.
Efforts to seek view point of Commissioner Secretary, SWD, J&K UT, Sheetal Nanda despite repeated calls and whatsapp messages failed to materialize. However, reliable sources in SWD commenting on the development said “The matter has been taken seriously by the authorities and termination of JJB is on anvil”.