Government gets 4 more weeks to set up panel to protect child rights 

The Delhi High Court has criticised Delhi Government for delay in constituting the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) as the court had asked the city Government to expeditiously set up the commission following the Center’s delegation of power to the Lieutenant Governor. A senior officer representing the Department of Social Welfare of the NCT informed the court that rules had been drafted for the purpose. Not satisfied with the reply, a Division Bench of Chief Justice MK Sharma and Justice Reva Khetrapal said, “We are questioning about the commission. Despite that it has been notified on January 15. We are not asking regarding the process. We want to know why it is not being done? 

“This is a matter of nomination of three persons. How can you say that? Tell us, where is the problem, what is to be done?” the Court asked. Counsel appearing for the Government sought eight weeks time as a last opportunity to set up the commission, as the department had not been able to find a proper place for the members of the proposed commission to sit. An intimation for the requirement had been sent to the General Administration Department (GAD) of the State Government. Irked with the submission, the bench came down heavily and said, "You can't find place anywhere in Delhi for seating three-four persons. Is GAD separate from the Government? Why do you need eight weeks time?," the Court asked. Then, the Court directed compliance of its earlier order within four weeks. "It is unfortunate that despite our repeated orders, the State Government has not been able to nominate the commission so far. If you don't comply with the order within four weeks, we will direct the Chief Secretary to be present in person before the Court," the justices said. The bench also asked that a rehabilitation scheme be framed within four weeks. To rehabilitate child labour in the city, a legislation was enacted and the law came into force in 2005. However, the State Government has failed to set up a commission so far. A PIL was filed by Social Jurists through its lawyer Ashok Aggarwal, seeking direction to the Government to come out with a mechanism to rehabilitate child labour rescued from various factories.( Source: Daily Pioneer, March 7, 2008)