Department holds workshop on JJ Act

The Udupi district Women and Child Welfare Department and Children Welfare Committee jointly organised a programme on ‘Juvenile Justice Act-2000’ and its implementation towards protecting the child rights and child rehabilitation here on Tuesday.

Speaking after inaugurating the programme, District Magistrate G V Chengappa opined that human exploitation has crossed all the barriers and parents are also not spared from the evil. Poverty compels them to sell their kids for meagre amount and the agents play a crucial role in this human trade.

The Juvenile Justice Act was introduced long back in 1943 by the then Mysore State and was re-enacted by the Karnataka government in 1956. In 2000, the Act was reinforced with additional powers. The Act empowers the Juvenile Board and Child Welfare Committee constituted by the government with judicial powers to take stern action against the violation of child rights. There is a need for awareness among mass regarding the judicial powers entitled to the Board and Committees, he said. Udupi district Principal Civil Judge (Senior Division) B S Patil opined that the Sections from 40-45 of the Juvenile Justice Act ought to be sternly imposed to curtail the violence taking place against children. The flaws in the Act restrained the strict enforcement of the Act, he said.