The apex court also minced no words in expressing displeasure at the conduct of the media which it said was more focussed on the GDP growth, big business houses and Ambanis'.
Even as the Centre suggested banning use of children in TV reality shows, the Supreme Court today criticised the authorities for failing to enforce the existing laws to prevent exploitation of children for prostitution and labour.
The apex court also minced no words in expressing displeasure at the conduct of the media which it said was more focussed on the GDP growth, big business houses and Ambanis' instead of focussing on issues relating to exploitation of children.
A bench of justice Dalveer Bhandari and justice AK Patnaik, while dealing with a PIL on exploitation of children for labour and commercial sex, said even though there are enough laws to combat such offences, the necessary will was awfully lacking in the government.
"Our system is in such a way that it is only the most powerful who are able to have their way. It is only the powerful who are in a position to influence.
"Unless people at the top act, nothing will happen. What is the point in passing directions when they are not implemented? We have passed so many directions in Narmada Bachao Andolan case," the bench said.
The apex court made the remarks after solicitor general Gopal Subramaniam came out with a suggestion that the apex court should pass directions to ensure children are not exploited for labour, including their use for TV reality shows.
"People in the media are also more concerned with the GDP growth. Do they promote the cause of children's rights or the other weaker section? The media is more focussed on the GDP, big business houses and the Ambanis," justice AK Patnaik said.
The apex court said though the existing laws are sufficient to tackle the menance, there appears to be resistance at the bureacratic level.
"The law is there. Everything is there but they are not enforced. Parliament makes law. But it is all on paper. If the media really makes an issue of this (exploitation of children), it will really make the government to act. But nobody is focussing on the sensitivity of the issue.
"Whatever, guidelines we give must have proper implementation. It must percolate. Implementation has to be very clear. NGO, media persons and people like Dr Shanta Sinha, chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights) should be involved in the mission", the apex court said.
The apex court said the government had formulated a number of good policies but was unable to implement the same due to the influence of vested interest.
"Any number of good policies may be formulated by the government but they don't get implemented. Funds get allocated for other unimportant purposes. Self interest rules in most cases and it is vested interests who are benefitted.
"Everything is there in the policy but there is resistance. You are seeking the power of the apex court direction so that there is no resistance," the bench told the solicitor general.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}