Schemes for Juveniles
The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 [JJ Act] is the primary law for adjudication for and disposal of matters related to children in need of care and protection as well as children in conflict with law including those children fallen into clutches of criminals.
As per data available with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), incidents of juvenile crime have not recorded a constant increase in the last five years. As reported, such incidents numbered 22865 in 2007, 24535 in 2008, 23926 in 2009, 22740 in 2010 and 25125 in 2011.
Section 63 of the JJ Act provides for creation of a Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) by State Governments/UT Administrations for every district and city to coordinate and upgrade the treatment by police of juveniles and children. Further, the Act also mandates that at least one officer with aptitude and appropriate training and orientation, may be designated as the juvenile or child welfare officer, to handle the juvenile or child in coordination with the police. In addition, Rule 84 of the Central Model Rules framed under the JJ Act provides for appointment of child welfare officer of the rank of police inspector and two social workers by State Governments/UT Administrations, of which one shall be a woman, having experience of working in the field of child welfare. The two social workers are to be provided by the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU).
Since 2009, the Ministry of Women and Child Development is providing financial assistance to State Governments/UT Administrations under Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) for appointment of two social workers under the District Child Protection Units. The social workers are responsible for providing assistance to SJPU in discharging their duties.
The Child Welfare Officer of the SJPU and social workers are responsible for dealing with all matters related to children produced before Child Welfare Committees or Juvenile Justice Boards under the Act as per directions provided to them by these statutory bodies.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) under which financial assistance is provided for appointment of two social workers under the DCPU who, amongst other responsibilities, are also to provide assistance to SJPU in discharging their duties as and when required.
This was stated by Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister for Women and Child Development, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.
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