Justice Masoodi stresses upon CCIs to register under JJ Act

Jammu: Chairperson Selection cum Oversight Committee, Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi Thursday called upon the Child Care Institutions (CCIs) both Government and NGO Run to get themselves registered under Section (35) of J&K Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2013.
He said this, while addressing the Incharges/ Superintendents of CCIs of Jammu District here at SCOC office Jammu.
Mission Director, ICPS G. A Sofi, and Rajiv Khajuria (Member SCOC,J&K), Natasha Kalsotra DCPO, Jammu , Shalini Sharma, Chairperson Child Welfare Committee, Jammu and other officers of ICPS Directorate also attended the meeting.
Justice Masoodi, in his detailed address, emphasized that the CCIs must have proper/spacious infrastructure for accommodating the Children. While appreciating a few, Justice Masoodi regretted that most of the Homes are not following the Standards of Care as enshrined under JJ Act. He added that Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) is the ultimate body in the District to ensure the best interest of all the Children in Need of Care and Protection and has the authority to visit and inspect any Home/ Institution housing Children or dealing with Children and can take decisions on the basis of their findings.
JJ Panel also interacted with the Incharges/ Superintendents of CCIs and answered their queries. It was made clear that all the Homes housing Children need to get themselves registered under JJ Act , failing which fine or even closure can be faced by the Homes. Justice Masoodi also asked to organize a visit of the Caretakers to Model Homes for better understanding of the work.
Rajiv Khajuria in his address asked CCIs to ensure Child friendly environment in the Institutions.
State Mission Director ICPS briefed the participants about the various provisions of Juvenile Justice Act and Rules. He asked the Institutions to ensure that proper education is provided to all the Children housed in these Institutions and the staff of Home shall act as alternate Parent to these Children and take utmost care with regard to their General as well as Skill based Development.
He also updated them on various Circulars issued by ICPS Directorate from time to time and highlighted basic requirements of counselling, recreational, maintaining record , Nutrition, Tuitions and other needs of Children.