`FIR against employers;  service users to be prosecuted’: J&K unveils maiden `Policy for Rehabilitation of Children in Street Situation’

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government’s Draft Policy for Rehabilitation of Children in Street Situation (CISS) has recommended lodging FIRs against people employing kids.

The draft policy was framed by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Save The Children. 

Under the policy, police and other agencies have been empowered to strictly enforce the laws against child labor.

“Local police shall register an FIR against the perpetrators and employers of children for violation of Child Labour Act, 1986, Juvenile Justice Act,2015 and Indian penal Code 1860 on the statement of the child given before the Child Welfare Committee,” the policy document said.

The administration has called for acting tough against the buyers or users of the services of the children.

“In any case, if a person is purchasing scraps or whatever collection from the child, action must be initiated under the relevant sections of Child and Adolescents Labour (prohibition and regulation) Act 1986 Section 70 of JJ Act 2015 or any other laws applicable for this matter, ” it said.

The policy document has also directed the police to investigate the possibility of pushing children towards drug addiction in Jammu and Kashmir.

 “If a person receiving scraps or whatever collection from the child or who has engaged children and is giving narcotics substance instead of the money or along with money, action may be initiated under section 77 of the JJ Act,” it said.

The policy has recommended for the rehabilitation of such children in accordance scheme for the rehabilitation of the Bonded Labourers 2016. “An amount of Rs 25000 to be compensated to the child as per given provision with a contribution of Rs 5000 from District Child Rehabilitation Fund and Rs 20,000 from the employer,” it said.

Under the policy, the administration has also decided to rehabilitate the migrant children doing odd jobs or begging, at their respective places.

“If a migrant family has come to the city due to the lack of means of sustenance, adopting the livelihood option of doing odd jobs begging of selling products on streets or even does some work involving children, the DICPU may visit the family and prepare a SIR too present family’s situation,” it said.

 “All possible steps may be taken to rehabilitate the family to their native places. If it is established that the family is unable to go back to their native places due to certain reasons, the Child Welfare Committee shall recommend the enrollment of the children in the Anganwadi center or in a school as well as provide an open shelter facility available in the area,” it added.

The administration has roped-in many departments including the social welfare department, labor department, revenue department, and education department apart from the Deputy Commissioners to implement the policy.

Mohammad Sharif Bhat, Project Head, Save The Children, which has also contributed to the draft policy, said it will help to rehabilitate the children, who are in street situations.

 “Actually definition of the street children has changed. It includes those who lived once on a street or even those who are not enrolled in schools. We have given training to the officials of Integrated Child Development Services. The policy, which has come up will help to preserve the future of the children who live in street situations,” he said.