New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill, 2021 by voice vote.
The Bill seeks to amend the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
The amendments include authorising 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 categorising previously undefined offences as serious offences are some of the other aspects of the Bill.
Replying to the debate on the Bill, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said with today’s amendment the protection of children becomes a priority and the Bill will prioritise the issues relating children.
She mentioned that the incompetent child care institutes have been shut by the Union government.
The Ministry will work with Anganwadis and other grass root level organisations to provide child care, she said.
The Minister further said that focus will be on mental health of children and the Government will take suitable steps in this direction.
