CONSULTATIVE
COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENT FOR WCD DISCUSES IMPLEMENTATION OF PROTECTION OF
CHILDREN
FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT 2012
Smt.
Krishna Tirath, Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Women and Child
Development (WCD) chaired the meeting of the Consultative Committee of the
Parliament here today.
Speaking
at the occasion, Smt. Tirath said that the increased number of sexual offences
against children in the country necessitated an Act which would address this
issue. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012, which
came into force on 14 November 2012 with notification of its rules, has been
able to address most of the issues. Addressing the members, she said that the
existing laws such as the IPC were insufficient and deficient to deal with the
specific requirements regarding children as they do not distinguish between an
adult and a child victim. Moreover, these laws are not gender neutral and the
definition of ‘rape’ is also restrictive. The new Act, she said, is gender
neutral and covers all persons below the age of 18 years of age. Clear
definition and description of offences have been provided. Also, stringent and
harsh punishment for the offences has been prescribed in the Act.
The
Minister stated that the Act will be effective when its implementation is
effective, for which spreading awareness about the various features and
provisions of the Act becomes extremely crucial. She also mentioned that the
States have a very important role to play in the implementation of the Act. She
therefore urged the members of the Consultative Committee to suggest ways and
means by which the awareness campaign of the Act could be strengthened, and
ways through which its implementation is made more effective.
The
Ministry of WCD made a presentation on the salient features of the Act covering
the definition of the terms, prescribed punishment for the offences, the rules
for its implementation and the role of agencies such as NCPCR and SPCRs in the
implementation process. The WCD Minister, Smt. Tirath mentioned that she has
written to all the States for necessary action to be taken at their end. The
Act was also discussed in the meeting of the State Ministers and Secretaries in
September this year. She said that the M/o HRD is being approached to include
age appropriate information on the issue in school curriculum. Also, training
of police functionaries at all levels and those of the Judiciary and Central
and State governments is crucial for effective implementation of the Act, she
noted. The States are responsible for designation of Sessions Court in each
district as Special Court under the Act, along with appointment of Special
Public Prosecutor, establishment of special Juvenile police Units, Child
Welfare Committees and District Child Protection Units. Formulation of schemes
for payment of compensation to the child victims is also responsibility of the
State governments.
The
members, while lauding the Act, stated that various organizations within the
civil society and the NGOs working in this field should be roped in to spread
awareness about the Act. Also, it needs to be ensured that the provisions of
the Act should not be misused to settle scores or to victimise people, the
members mentioned. Proper and adequate training of the functionaries associated
with the implementation of the Act should assume top priority.
Source:- Ministry of Women and Child Development
With Regards
Prakash Verma
E Id: Prkverma@gmail.com
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