Court slams UT’s ‘lukewarm’ response to child rights

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has expressed its disapproval over the ‘lukewarm’ response of Chandigarh Administration over not taking a conclusive stand on the constitution of a Commission for Protection of Child Rights. The High Court hopes that the Administration will take “necessary steps by the adjourned date so as to enable this court to issue comprehensive directions”.

The directions were passed during the resumed hearing of a PIL filed by social activist Hemant Goswami seeking directions to Chandigarh and states of Punjab and Haryana for constitution of a Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Punjab has stated that it has decided to constitute a Commission.

“Haryana has also taken steps and have constituted a Commission under Section 31 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act,2009. However,there is nothing on the record which may show that the Commission has been clothed with the power under Section 17 of the Act. As per the provisions there can be a composite commission under 2005 Act as well as 2009 Act,all those required to be done is by Haryana to issue a notification conferring powering under Section 17 of 2005 Act as body already constituted under Section 31 of 2009 Act,” reads the order.