Delhi Govt Vows School Child Protection Panels, But DCPCR Still Has 7 Vacancies After 3 Years

The Delhi government on Monday announced it will set up child protection committees in all 5,363 schools across the Capital. The decision came after a high-level review meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at Raj Niwas. Directions were issued to constitute committees in all government, MCD, and private schools by the end of July, making child protection initiatives a permanent and integral part of all institutions.

However, the announcement comes against the backdrop of the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) failing to fill seven vacancies over the last three years, since July 2023. The DCPCR is a statutory body responsible for safeguarding child rights in the capital. The vacancies have repeatedly drawn the ire of the Delhi High Court.

Earlier in February, the High Court pulled up the Delhi government's Women and Child Development department. A division bench orally remarked that the state should repeal the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act if it continues to progress at a snail's pace. The court expressed concern over the delays in filling key positions, which have hampered the commission's functioning.

The DCPCR, established under the CPCR Act, plays a crucial role in monitoring child welfare schemes, investigating complaints of rights violations, and advising the government on policy matters. The unfilled posts include senior positions that are essential for the commission's leadership and decision-making.

While the government's new initiative aims to strengthen child protection at the school level, the persistent vacancies in the DCPCR raise questions about the overall commitment to child rights. Experts have noted that without a fully functional commission, oversight and accountability mechanisms remain weak.

The High Court has scheduled further hearings on the matter, and the government has been directed to expedite the recruitment process. The court has also warned of contempt proceedings if the vacancies are not filled within a reasonable timeframe.