(Video) Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV) The Big Picture: Changes in Juvenile Justice Act

Topic: Changes in Juvenile Justice Act

Guest:

Deepak Kumar, (Former CEO, Central Adoption Resource Authority)
Manoj Kumar Rai, (Director, Women Welfare, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh)
Rosi Taba, Member, (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights)

Topic Description:

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the proposal of the Ministry of Women and Child Development to amend the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 to introduce measures for strengthening Child Protection set-up to ensure best interest of children. The amendments include authorizing the District Magistrate including Additional District Magistrates to issue adoption orders under Section 61 of the JJ Act, in order to ensure speedy disposal of cases and enhance accountability. The District Magistrates have been further empowered under the Act, to ensure its smooth implementation, as well as garner synergized efforts in favour of children in distress conditions. Defining eligibility parameters for appointment of CWC members, and categorizing previously undefined offences as ‘serious offence’ are some of the other aspects of the proposal. Several difficulties faced in implementation of various provisions of the Act have also been addressed. The amendments, once approved by Parliament, will increase the role of district magistrates and empower them to undertake inspections of childcare institutions.