Social workers welcome proposed amendment to Juvenile Justice Act

Social workers welcome proposed amendment to Juvenile Justice Act

                                                                              

THE decision of Government of India's Woman and Child Welfare ministry lo amend Ihe Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act. in view of growing involvement of children between 16 and  18 years in heinous crime like murder and rape, has been welcomed by many in (he region. It has also been a decision conforming the procedure adopted in some countries, without affecting the provisions in either the UN Convention on Rights of Children or other welfare provisions in the JJ Act.The proposed amendment bill was placed in the Parliament and was supported by almost every member. It is also expected that with the proposed amendments, the justice delivery system and rehabilitation process will be made hassle-free. The agencies specified in the JJ Act will be made more efficient and effective. It is also expected that the appointments or nominations on these agencies will not be political, so that persons genuinely interested in implementation of the law, will be able to work without fear and favour.

Dr John Menachery. Principal of Matru Seva Sangh Institute of Social Work. Nagpur has welcomed the decision. It is absolutety essential to segregate and deal with juvenile offenders above 16 years who commit heinous crimes in regular criminal courts. However, sufficient care needs to be taken while deviating children from the juvenile justice system to the riminal justice system, h is a fact that in the absence of deterrent measures, crimes involving juvenile have increased. Keeping this social reality in mind, ii is necessary lo enhance ihe quantum of punishmeni for such crimes.

Having said thai, it should he mentioned thai death penally should not be resorted lo in case of juvenile offenders. In case it is a well known faci lhai death penally has not

Posted in: News 2014