The Rajasthan High Court has raised alarm over the prolonged vacancies in the Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (RSCPCR). This commission is crucial for safeguarding children’s rights in the state. A notice was issued to the state government during a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) hearing on the matter, demanding a detailed response.
A division bench of Justice Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Sandeep Shah listened to a petition filed by the Juvenile Justice Advocates Association. The court was informed by the petitioner’s counsel that the positions of chairperson and members in the commission have been unfilled for over a year.
Due to the prolonged vacancies, the commission has essentially become non-operational, leading to a halt in monitoring child rights-related issues. The absence of leadership has significantly impacted the implementation and oversight of crucial child protection laws, including the POCSO Act, RTE Act, and Juvenile Justice Act.
The petition emphasized that the inactive state of the commission is negatively affecting the protection of vulnerable and marginalized children’s constitutional rights in Rajasthan. The commission is responsible for overseeing the benefits and protections under these laws, but due to the absence of leadership, it has been only functional on paper.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, the High Court issued an order on February 17. The state government, represented by Additional Advocate General Praveen Khandelwal, acknowledged the court’s notice. The court has requested responses from various officials and directed the state government to provide a detailed report by February 23.
The High Court pointed out that leaving such critical positions vacant for an extended period indicates a serious administrative oversight concerning the rights and well-being of children.
