3-member panel to form rules to implement Juvenile Act

A three-member committee has been constituted by the Women and Child Development ministry to frame rules for the implementation of Juvenile Justice Act passed by Parliament recently.

"A three-member committee has been formed to devise rules for the implementation of the Act. It is expected to give its report by month-end," a senior ministry official said.

The committee will look into various demands and requirements for effective adaption of the law including setting up of additional authoritative bodies like Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) and Child Welfare Committees.

It will also bring more clarity into the role, responsibilities, functions and accountability of these bodies.

CWCs and JJBs deal with matters concerning children in conflict with law and is supposed to be constituted for each district or group of districts.

However, there is a large number of pendency of cases in CWCs and JJBs in many states as they are not fully functional.

The amended Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act was passed by Parliament on December 22 last year. Under the new law, juveniles aged between 16 and 18 will be tried as adults if they commit heinous offences like rape and murder.