Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 20: As the Government has taken the process for selection of Chairperson and members for the Child Rights Commission (CRC), the High Court has sought information with regard to the constitution of the Commission by next date of hearing.
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The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Moksha Kazmi granted four weeks time to the Government to inform the court as to what steps have been taken for the constitution of the CRC.
The Government Counsel appraised the court that the committee convened two meetings on 02.08.2023 and 08.08.2023 and upon scrutinizing the applications received, the committee shortlisted three candidates for the post of Chairperson and four for the post of members, with two candidates being considered for both posts.
Court has further been informed that due to insufficient number of eligible applicants, the six member commission could not be constituted because of lack of eligibility criteria mentioned in the rules. The committee after thorough deliberations recommended the eligibility criteria as well as process for the appointment to the said posts to the competent authority, the approval for which is awaited.
“Learned counsel for the respondents seeks and is granted further four weeks’ time to place on record the steps taken for constitution of Commission”, the DB said.
It is noted that on previous hearing, while expressing its serious concern for not filling the posts of Commission and constituting it for functioning, the court had sought personal appearance of Chief Secretary in case of failure of producing the records pertaining to the selection process of members for Protection of Child Rights Commission are not produced before the court.
As there is already a delay in appointment of members of the Protection of Child Rights Commission as such the Division Bench had on March 27 directed the authorities to produce the process of selection before the court on the next date of hearing.
The Court took matter with the utmost seriousness and had observed that it deserves in view of the important statutory role the Commission plays and made it clear that in default the court would be compelled to call the concerned official to remain present in person before this Court to explain before it.
The J&K Social Welfare Department has constituted a five Member Committee to recommend for appointment to the posts of Chairperson and Members, J&K Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
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