ALAPPUZHA: Despite a slew of Supreme Court directives for the effective implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act this month, the government has taken no step to constitute Child Welfare Committees (CWC). The CWC in the district got dissolved six months for want of stipulated quorum. The apex court on Feb 9 directed the states to ensure that all positions in juvenile justice boards and CWCs are filled up expeditiously and following rules.
It asked the Union and state governments to ensure all positions in the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (SCPR) are filled up well in time, and adequate staff provided, “Any delay might adversely impact on children, and this should be avoided," the judgement of a bench chaired by the chief justice observed.
The top court also requested the chief justices of all high courts to register proceedings on their own for effective implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. Delivering verdict on a PIL seeking implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act and its rules, it asked all of them to seriously consider establishing child-friendly courts and vulnerable witness courts in each district.
According to a member, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KeSCPCR), a case about the reconstitution of CWCs is still pending in the HC for last one year. Till the case is settled, the notification of the committee can’t be issued. It’s social justice department (SJD) to take immediate steps to constitute CWCs. The SJD officials say the stalemate followed the replacement of the 2000 Act with the new one in 2015. Now the criteria for members has changed, and it had to revise notifications accordingly. But the members selected under the old law moved the HC, which stayed appointment of all 14 committees.
