The Ministry has enacted the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act (CPCR), 2005, extending pan-India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir, under which National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is mandated to function for protection and promotion of child rights. The Commission may inquire into complaints and take suomotu notice of matters relating to-

Deprivation and violation of child rights;

Non-implementation of laws providing for protection and development of children;

Non-compliance of policy decisions, guidelines or instructions aimed at mitigating hardships to and ensuring welfare of the children and to provide relief to such children;

Or take up the issues arising out of such matters with appropriate authorities.

The Ministry has legislated various child centric Acts such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 ensuring the safety, security, dignity and well-being of children. Further the Ministry is implementing a centrally sponsored scheme “Child Protection Services” (CPS) (erstwhile Integrated Child Protection Scheme), and providing financial assistance, as Grant-in-Aid, to the States/UTs for, inter-alia, undertaking a situational analysis of children in difficult circumstances, for setting up and maintenance of various types of Child Care Institutions.  The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Rules, 2016 framed under JJ Act, inter-alia specify standards for physical infrastructure, clothing, bedding, nutrition & diet, as well as rehabilitation measures such as education, vocational training, counselling etc. 

This information was given by the Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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MM/SB