Lok Sabha passes Bill on protection of children

New Delhi, Aug. 2 The Hindu

(PTI): A Bill aimed at preventing exploitation of children, deal with juvenile delinquency, defining adoption and setting up of state-level Child Protection Units was passed by the Lok Sabha tonight.
Replying to a debate on the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill, Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhury said a Child Commission would be set up by the government to deal with all problems faced by children.
"It is for the first time that such a Commission would be set up when India turns sixty years," she said, adding fast-track courts would also be established to expedite cases relating to juvenile delinquency.
Chowdhury said the Union Home Ministry had agreed to take steps to induct more women in the police forces to implement laws relating to women and children.
Observing that a child-friendly approach was imperative to prevent juvenile crime, the Minister agreed with members that organised gangs were active in forcing children to beg and indulge in criminal activities.
She said the amendments clearly laid down guidelines for adoption of children, including the right to inherit property.
Earlier, participating in the discussion on the amendment bill, members cutting across party lines supported the measure but made several suggestions including setting up of a separate investigating agency for dealing with juvenile crime, checking television serials from showing violence and obscenity and trials of cases involving minors being held in-camera.