The government has ordered a comprehensive inquiry by the Pathanamthitta District Collector into complaints of irregularities in the functioning of the district child welfare committee (CWC).
The probe is in the wake of preliminary inquiry by the Women and Child Development Department that found that there were allegations against many members of the CWC. They were functioning without any mutual understanding or consensus, and this was affecting the overall functioning of the committee.
One member had, a few months ago, complained that another member’s conduct did not behove a member of the CWC. The member had also sought legal action against the other member, alleging a bid to malign her reputation.
The other member had alleged that the district CWC was not conducting sittings regularly. The then chairperson used to take files, including those related to POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act) cases, outside, while the officiating chairperson did not have enough attendance.
A member was also alleged to have behaved badly with the superintendent and other employees of Government Children’s Home there.
As all these issues were coming in the way of protection of best interests of children, the department found an investigation was necessary.
The High Court of Kerala too had in December last sought a report while investigating complaints against some members of the CWC, a government order on the probe by the Collector said.
The issues in the Pathanamthitta CWC were a manifestation of appointments made on political considerations, officials said on the condition of anonymity.
The CWCs in a few districts have drawn criticism for their handling of cases in recent months.
