Solicitor general Gopal Subramanium told the Supreme Court on Friday that the government had prepared a notification to the effect and it 'would be issued very soon'.
In a significant move that could benefit the lakhs of children who fall prey to trafficking every year, the Centre plans to ban employment of minors in circuses.
Solicitor general Gopal Subramanium told the Supreme Court on Friday that the government had prepared a notification to the effect and it “would be issued very soon”.
The submission came when justices Dalveer Bhandari and AK Patnaik were hearing a public interest litigation filed by NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) protesting government apathy towards child rights enforcement.
BBA member Bhuwan Ribhu said, “Circuses are used as a major tool to traffic children, especially from Nepal. If the notification is implemented successfully, much of child trafficking and the bonded child menace promoted through circuses would be curbed.”
In a landmark order that is being viewed as a major victory for child rights, the judges asked the Centre and state governments to “forthwith” implement all provisions of the Juvenile Justice (care and protection of children) Act 2000.
Taking exception to the central and state apathy in enforcing various laws to strengthen child rights, the judges directed all states to set up statutory bodies under the Act in six weeks.
The court took a stern view of the fact that despite the Act’s existence since 2000, a majority of cities had failed to implement its provisions.
“It has become imperative to direct all states to implement provisions of the law forthwith and establish juvenile justice board, child welfare committee and special juvenile policing units within 6 weeks from today.”
The court also said that in a bid to strengthen child rights enforcement, it would systematically take up matters regarding each of the three child rights related laws, the JJ Act, Bonded Labour Act and Child Labour Act, every Friday.
On Subramanium’s suggestion, the judges deputed the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights as the nodal agency to supervise the implementation of the order.
As per the order, in accordance with the JJ Act, all states will now have to set up juvenile justice homes, child welfare committees and special police units in all districts. The governments will also be responsible for sensitising police officers to juvenile cases.
Observing that poverty was a major cause for children getting involved in bonded labour or turning delinquents, the court said the Centre should learn from Brazil, where the government gives incentives to parents of children withdrawn from work and sent to schools.
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