Vexed over non-receipt of any reply to the letter he had shot off some time ago to the Additional Chief Secretary, social welfare department, over the case of escape of some minor inmates of the State-run Balika Niketan at Kedarpuram in Dehradun, Uttarakhand Commission for Protection of Child Rights (UCPCR) chairperson Yogendra Khanduri said on Monday that he might summon the additional Chief Secretary, social welfare department, to appear before the commission. “We would have hardly any option left but to summon the officer to the commission unless a report we sought is submitted in a few days,” he said. He also expressed his disappointment over non- submission of a detailed report by the social welfare department over how the girls had escaped from the home for the distressed girls on December 17 last. He had also sought information about the steps being taken to stop recurrence of such incidents.
Notably, Khanduri had vented his anger during a state consultation workshop on ‘child protection in Uttarakhand’ held a few days ago over the bureaucrats for not taking cognizance of notice being served by the commission. He had also appealed to the chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat to ensure that the bureaucrats act on the notices served by the commission for children rights and protection.
UCPCR had shot off a letter to the Additional Chief Secretary, social welfare, Ranveer Singh on December 18, 2017, stating that a detailed report should be submitted to the commission about how the girls escaped from the juvenile home and the steps being taken to stop recurrence of incidents in 10 days. UCPCR had also written to State Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh over the matter. The letter had urged the chief secretary to ask the additional chief secretary about why he had not submitted a detail report sought of him about sensitive issues.
Mention worthy, Commission for Protection of Child Rights was formed following an act of the Parliament. The commission enjoys some important power regarding children’s rights. Commission is authorised to seek documents, order an inquiry and summon officers at the commission.