Juvenile Justice Board in 2 months: J-K minister

The Jammu and Kashmir government today told the Legislative Council that the process of setting up the Juvenile Justice Board would be completed within two months.
The state had enacted the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act in 2013 but the board is yet to be set up even after the passage of three years.
"The setting up of the Juvenile Justice Board is under process as it is closely linked with release of funds under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) and nominations of various government/non-governmental nominees," Social Welfare Minister Sajjad Gani Lone said in the Legislative Council.
The minister was replying to a question of National Conference (NC) MLC Shehnaz Ganai who asked the government to wake up from its "deep slumber" for the benefit of the children of the state.

"It is unfortunate that we do not have a juvenile justice board in the state. About 750 cases involving juveniles are pending. Till we do not constitute the board, we will deprive juveniles of their rights," the NC MLC said.
Lone assured Ganai that the process has been set in motion.

"Everything is not in our hands. The High Court has to nominate the head of the board. We have written to it and once it (HC nomination) comes, we will establish the board in 15-20 days," said the minister.
However, his reply could not satisfy the MLC who sought a time-frame for establishment of the board.

Lone then assured her that the board would be set up within a month or two.