Thaindian News

Kolkata, Nov 12 (IANS) Observing that West Bengal lagged behind others in juvenile justice, a Calcutta High Court judge Saturday stressed on the need for spreading awareness on the issue and setting up more children’s homes.

“The Juvenile Justice Act is comprehensive and provides holistic measures for rehabilitation for juveniles in need of care or protection,” Justice P.C. Ghose who heads the State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) said at an event here.

“The lack of awareness about the provisions even among those concerned with implementation has hindered the progress of the state in this regard,” he added.

The judge also rued the lack of child homes in the state as well as the poor condition of the existing homes.

“Several districts are still to get a home for the children. The existing homes are not up to the mark and their occupancy is far below the sanctioned strength, though many children needing such homes roam around,” he said.

For the effective implementation of the law and to ensure juvenile justice, child homes are required not only at the district level but also at sub-divisional or block level, Ghose said.

The judge was addressing the media after the conclusion of a two-day consultation on juvenile justice in the state, in association with SLSA, the departments of women and child development and social affairs and UNICEF.

Observing that authorities concerned had to face problems over repatriation of rescued children, Ghose called for enhanced cooperation of the central government over the issue.

Stressing on the need for rehabilitation of juveniles in conflict with law, West Bengal UNICEF chief Lori Calvo quoting a National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report said 1.2 percent of the total Indian Penal Code crimes are against children in India.

“In Bengal, one child in every 100,000 population is a victim of crime as against the national average of 2.3 percent. The total crime against children has also increased from 2 percent in 2009 to 3.3 percent in 2010,” he quoted the report.

Ghose said state government officials who were present at the consultation have assured the rapid implementation of the suggestions made in the regard by the participants.