Amendments to the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 approved

The Union Cabinet has approved the amendments to the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Act, 2015 on February 17, 2021.

Key Facts

• The amendment proposes that, the DMs, ADMs will monitor the functioning of agencies which are implementing this act in each district.
• After this amendment, the Child Protection Unit of districts will function under the District Magistrate (DMs).
• Now, the DMs can independently evaluate Child Welfare Committee, and the Specialised Juvenile Police Unit.
• He can check the capacity and background of the Child Care Institute, following which they will be recommended for registration.
• The amendments authorise the District Magistrate along with Additional District Magistrate to issue the adoption orders in accordance with Section 61 of the Juvenile justice act.
• It will now ensure the speedy disposal of cases and also enhance the accountability.
• The amendments also empower the District Magistrates to ensure its smooth implementation and garner the synergized efforts to support the children in distress conditions.

Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015

The act was passed by Parliament of India by replacing the Indian juvenile delinquency law called the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. This act allows the juveniles, aged 16 to 18 who are in conflict with Law and are involved in Heinous Offences, to be tried as adults.  It also seeks to create a universally accessible adoption law in India. The Act came into force in 2016. In order to smoothen the procedures for orphan, abandoned and surrendered children the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) was given the status of statutory body.

Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)

It is an autonomous and statutory body under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. It was established in 1990. CARA is the nodal body of the adoption of Indian children. It also monitors and regulate the in-country and inter-country adoptions.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2021