The first-ever grievance redressal bench on matters of child rights violations and welfare was held at DC Conference Hall Leh on June 16. The redressal bench was organised by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in collaboration with District Administration Leh, UT Ladakh.

In the first session, Chairperson NCPCR, Priyank Kanoongo chaired an inter-departmental review meeting on child rights. After reviewing the works of the concerned departments, including Social Welfare, Education, and Labour departments related to the grievances of child protection and rights in the region, Chairperson directed the departments and concerned organizations to ensure that the child rights are given utmost priority in all aspects. He directed Border Roads Organisation to look into labourers childrens’ rights cases and instructed to set up pre-fabricated camps to provide Anganwadi facilities to labourers working for them.

The Chairperson NCPCR reiterated the departments to ensure the availability of elementary schools for the children within the defined area under the RTE Act. He exhorted to ensure that children of migrant labourers and Children in Street Situations (CISS) are not denied admission in schools on the non-availability of documents such as Aadhar and Transfer certificates, etc.

He directed the labour department to form a District Task Force to look into the matters of child labours. He also informed the department to collect accurate data on absentee students from schools for more than 30 days and directed to examine such cases for probable possibility of child labour.

Directions were also given for proper mapping of KGBV schools of both Leh and Kargil and to ensure that such govt hostels are run at full capacity.

Officers from concerned departments including Social Welfare, Education, Labour, and CWC briefed on the various cases and work done by the department for the grievances related to child protection and rights in the region. They are apprised about various cases of Children in need of care and protection (CNCP), compensations/ benefits provided in POCSO cases, children in street situations (CISS), child labour and child adoption, etc. 

The grievance redressal bench headed by Chairperson, NCPCR, Priyank Kanoongo addressed cases/incidents related to violation of child rights and welfare in the districts. The bench redressed grievances related to cases of the POCSO Act, financial sponsorship, and documentation-related issues. To provide financial assistance to the children belonging to poor and distressed families, the parents were instructed to register with NRLM and NULM to earn livelihood opportunities. Cases of Children with Special Needs and PwDs were also addressed during the bench.

On the issues/challenges faced by the departments in the execution of schemes intended for the welfare of children and beneficiaries, Chairperson NCPCR assured to take up the matter with concerned ministries further and redress them at the earliest. 

He further informed concerned departments to create awareness among the public about various government schemes related to financial assistance/ scholarships, POCSO Act, etc.

To redress the grievances and provide services instantaneously, stalls for Aadhaar enrollment/updation, Golden card/ PMJAY registration, and health check-up under RBSK along with stalls by banks, Social Welfare Department, DLSA, Health, NRLM, SHGs, etc were also installed during the camp.