JAMMU: In order to have first-hand information and observe the living conditions of the inmates, Justice Tashi Rabstan, Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority as well as Chairman, Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court of J&K and Ladakh accompanied by Amit Kumar Gupta, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority who also holds the Charge of Member Secretary, Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court of J&K and Ladakh today visited ‘Muskan’, a Home for Mentally Challenged Persons at Channi Rama, Jammu.
Justice Tashi was received by Yahaya Firdous, Secretary, DLSA Jammu alongwith Bal Krishan, Administrator of ‘Muskan’, where after, he met all the inmates and spent about half an hour with them. On behalf of Social Welfare Department, Mehmood Khan, Deputy Director, Jammu and Arti Choudhary, Protection Officer (Non-Institutional Care) were present, who informed that the said Home is funded by Red Cross Society and because of non-registration of “Muskan” online, the necessary funds for the said Home were not released during the previous year.
The Administrator of the Home informed Justice Tashi that out of 28 inmates, 14 are male and 14 are female. While talking to the officials present on the spot, it was brought to the notice of Justice Tashi that there was water scarcity in the said Home regarding which a request for Borewell was made which is still pending with the PHE Department. It was also intimated that whenever any inmate is taken to the Govt. Hospital, the officials demand fee for X-Rays, CT Scans and the blood as well as other tests prescribed by the doctor, which the inmates are unable to pay. So, it was requested that the same be got waved of.
Justice Tashi was also informed that no doctor is available in the said Home and there is also constraint of the space for keeping the inmates, upon which, Justice Tashi issued on-spot instructions to Member Secretary to convene a meeting with Chief Engineer, Jal Shakti and Chairman, Red Cross Society on April 28, 2023.
Justice Tashi also visited Balgran Charitable Home being run by an NGO which was located adjoining to the ‘Muskan Home’. The president and the other functionaries of the said Charitable Home were present and they showed each and every facility created by the said NGO for the well being of the inmates. Justice Tashi met all 117 children residing in the Home and inspected the dental centre, vocational hall, study room, computer lab, boys and girls mess and lauded the efforts of management committee in maintaining high standards of living and creating other facilities for inmates of the Home.
Later on, Justice Tashialso visited Observation Home, Children Home for boys namely ‘Palash’ and Children Home for Girls ‘Parisha’ at R. S Pura, where he was informed that 24 juveniles in conflict with law were putting up in the Observation Home that include 04 Pakistani Nationals out of which,03 are waiting repatriation to their homeland, whereas, one is still facing trial pending before JJB Rajouri.
In ‘Palash’ 28 boys and in ‘Parisha’ 22 girls were residing. And both the said Homes were having the facility of computer lab, study room, room for recreational activities, puja room, dinning hall and a kitchen. Justice Tashi appreciated the efforts put in by Mr. Vikrant, Superintendent of ‘Palash’ in upkeep of the Home and maintaining cleanliness in and around the said Home, besides providing all the necessary facility to the inmates.
Talking to media persons, Justice Tashi appreciated the efforts of Authorities regarding the facilities provided to the inmates of ‘Palash’ & ‘Parisha’ and also for maintaining hygienic environment in and around the said Homes.
Nikhal Gogna, S.D.P.O, SHO R.S Pura and other civil and police officials were present on the spot during the visit of Judge.