Srinagar, Oct 3: Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Executive Chairman of the J&K Legal Services Authority (JKLSA), on Friday visited Palaash Children Home for Boys and Pareesha Children Home for Girls at Nishat to review the facilities and welfare measures being provided to children.
During his visit to Pareesha, Justice Sanjeev Kumar interacted with the children and enquired about their studies, interests and daily activities. Officials briefed him on upgraded facilities, including an improved computer room, open gym and evening tutoring arrangements.
He later inspected Palaash, where he interacted with boys from different age groups and reviewed the facilities available to them. The children informed him that they were receiving nutritious meals, educational and healthcare facilities, along with books and sports equipment.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar directed the District Child Protection Officer and Superintendents of the homes to ensure that all necessary facilities are provided to the children. He also called for the involvement of IMHANS in organising mental-health and psychosocial camps and providing referrals wherever required.
The Executive Chairman subsequently visited the Observation Home at Harwan and inspected the facilities there. Interacting with the inmates, he directed the management to maintain the available facilities and ensure that their needs are promptly addressed.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar appreciated the efforts of the Social Welfare Department in maintaining cleanliness and ensuring satisfactory care and living standards in child-care institutions.
He also directed authorities to organise district- and UT-level awareness programmes on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, involving District Legal Services Authorities, Social Welfare and Education departments and other stakeholders.
He emphasised leveraging UNICEF's technical expertise and its longstanding collaboration with JKLSA to strengthen awareness, prevention, child-friendly responses and effective implementation of the POCSO framework across Jammu and Kashmir.
The visit reaffirmed JKLSA's focus on protecting the rights, welfare and overall development of children in institutional care.
