The data of number of cases pending against juveniles and children languishing for years in Observation Homes in the States/UTs is not maintained centrally. Section 14 (1) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 mandates the Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) to complete the enquiry in respect of a child in conflict with law within a period of four months. However, this section also allows the JJBs to extend the period beyond four months in special cases with recorded reasons. Children who have not been released on bail are required to stay in Observation Home during the pendency of enquiry.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, namely, Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) from 2009-10, under which financial assistance is provided to the State Governments/UT Administrations, inter-alia, for setting up and maintenance of JJBs. The Ministry is providing financial assistance for infrastructure, staff and training of staff to streamline the working of JJBs so that they can dispose of the cases at the earliest.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is providing financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) for setting up, upgradation and maintenance of various types of Homes, including Observation Homes and Special Homes for children in conflict with law. The Rules inter-alia specify the standards of physical infrastructure, clothing, bedding, nutrition & diet, as well as rehabilitation measures such as education, vocational training, counselling etc. The Scheme also provides for training and capacity building of all child protection personnel, including functionaries in the Homes, so that they are sensitised and equipped to take care of the well being of the children in their care. The State Governments/UT Administrations are required to ensure, through regular inspection and monitoring, that the institutions are run as per the provisions of the Act and the Rules framed there-under.
This was stated by Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister for Women and Child Development, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, namely, Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) from 2009-10, under which financial assistance is provided to the State Governments/UT Administrations, inter-alia, for setting up and maintenance of JJBs. The Ministry is providing financial assistance for infrastructure, staff and training of staff to streamline the working of JJBs so that they can dispose of the cases at the earliest.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is providing financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) for setting up, upgradation and maintenance of various types of Homes, including Observation Homes and Special Homes for children in conflict with law. The Rules inter-alia specify the standards of physical infrastructure, clothing, bedding, nutrition & diet, as well as rehabilitation measures such as education, vocational training, counselling etc. The Scheme also provides for training and capacity building of all child protection personnel, including functionaries in the Homes, so that they are sensitised and equipped to take care of the well being of the children in their care. The State Governments/UT Administrations are required to ensure, through regular inspection and monitoring, that the institutions are run as per the provisions of the Act and the Rules framed there-under.
This was stated by Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister for Women and Child Development, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.
