Lok Sabha takes up Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Amendment Bill 2021

Lok Sabha has taken up the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Amendment Bill 2021 for consideration and passage. The Bill seeks to amend the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Act, 2015. The amendments include authorizing the District Magistrate including the Additional District Magistrate to issue adoption orders to ensure speedy disposal of cases and enhance accountability. Defining eligibility parameters for appointment of Child Welfare Committee members and categorizing previously undefined offences as serious offences are some of the other aspects of the Bill.

Moving the Bill, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said that the Bill aims to provide protection to the children with the help of the District administration. She said it



has been found in the audit that several child care institutions are not registered and not providing basic amenities to children. She said the government is empowering the District Magistrate to provide speedy relief to the children.

Initiating the discussion, Preneet Kaur of Congress expressed happiness that children are being taken up as a priority by the government. She however said the proposed amendments put the entire impetus of the child's welfare on the District Magistrates who are already overburdened which may lead to serious delays and have wider repercussions on a children’s welfare. Supporting the Bill, Aparajita Sarangi of BJP said it focuses on the definition of serious offences, adoption and functioning of the child welfare committee. The discussion is underway.