the goan I network
PANAJI
The exercise of conducting social audit of Child Care Institutions has been initiated by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in pursuance of the directions of the Supreme Court of India.
Minister of State for Women and Child Development Dr Virendra Kumar provided this information in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
The Government has enacted the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 replacing the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 in order to further improve and strengthen the condition of rehabilitation homes. The primary responsibility in execution of the JJ Act lies with the state governments.
Under the JJ Act, 2015 several provisions have been included to improve the condition of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) including those housing children in conflict with law by providing for inspections of these CCIs by Juvenile Justice Board; prescribing various rehabilitation and reintegration services including skill development, recreational facilities, mental health interventions, etc.
Maintenance grant for children in rehabilitation homes has been enhanced to Rs 2,160 per child per month with effect from November 16, 2017. Maintenance grant was increased from Rs 750 to Rs 2,000 per child per month when financial norms were revised under Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) with effect from April 1, 2014.
Recently an advisory was sent by Union Ministry of Women and Child Development to all the States and Union territories, which have reported certain un-registered institutions hosting children in need of care and protection (CNCP) and are not willing to register themselves under the JJ Act or have not been found fit to be a CCI.
The central government has ordered that immediate steps be taken for suitable rehabilitation of these children while also advising state governments to initiate steps to close down those institutions which have declined to register.
