Director, Social Welfare Ladakh issued a notice regarding registration/renewal of registration of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) under Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection) Act, 2015 in UT Ladakh.

The order reads as, “All the institutions running institutional care services for children (in the age group of 0-18 years) in need of care and protection or children in conflict with the law, run by the Government or NGO/voluntary organization, shall be registered under sub-section (1) of section 41 of the Act irrespective of being registered or licensed under any other Act for the time being in force. All such institutions shall have to make an application in Form 27 along with a copy of rules, bye-laws, Memorandum of Association; List of the governing body, office bearers, list of trustees; Balance sheet of preceding three years; Statement of the record of social or public service provided by the institution to the State/UT Government/Administration; and a Declaration from the person or the organization regarding any previous conviction record or involvement in any immoral act or in an act of child abuse or employment of child labour or that it has not been blacklisted by the Central or State/UT Government”.

The notice further reads that Section 42 of the Act, envisages that any person, or persons, in-charge of institution housing children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with the law who fails to comply with the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 41 within one month from the issuance of the notice/ circular which was issued on 11 November 2020 shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to one year or a fine of not less than ₹1 lakh or both. It has further been provided in the Act that every thirty days delay in applying for registration shall be considered as a separate offence.

All the CCIs run by the NGOs/other organizations dealing with children and having facilities for boarding/lodging as mentioned above in UT Ladakh are hereby informed/advised through this notice to apply for Registration/Renewal of registration(if expired) under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act 2015 and Rules made thereunder (as applicable)in the Directorate of Social Welfare (Mission Director ICPS) Ladakh, HQ Kargil on the prescribed application form (Form-17) within three weeks from the date of issuance of this notice which was issued on 11 November 2020.

The applications on the prescribed form (Form-17) may also be submitted in the office of the District Child Protection Officer (District Social Welfare Officer) Leh and Kargil during office hours. In case of any clarification, District Child Protection Unit Leh/Kargil may be contacted.

Non-registration/Non-renewal of registration by any institute dealing with child-related matters shall be liable for penal action under the law. The Application Form (Form-17) may be obtained from the office of the concerned District Child Protection Officer Leh/Kargil.