The JJA, a Central government policy, is a key legislation for child welfare and protection in the country. It is an Act to consolidate and amend the laws relating to juveniles in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection by providing for proper care, protection, treatment and catering to development needs.

“With cases like the one in Baruipur where a child died of malnourishment and other cases of ill-treatment in shelter homes, there is a need for social audit in all children’s institutions, including those under the Juvenile Justice Board.

West Bengal still does not have a state advisory board, which is an obligation on the state under the JJA. The state does not even have a state commission for protection of children’s rights. We had suggested this last year to the state government but nothing has been done as yet. If there is no constant monitoring, who will curb incidents like the incident at Baruipur children’s home,” said Sandhya Bajaj, member, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, New Delhi.

“There is an urgent need to have a monitoring body like the state advisory board to ensure implementation of the existing child protection schemes in the state. Social audits should be conducted as provided under the Act as well. The government should demand for Integrated Child Protection Service, which is an umbrella scheme pending for the Union Cabinet approval after being cleared by the Planning Commission,” said Rajib Haldar, additional director, Child In Need Institute.

However, the state social welfare department claimed it is not possible to implement all the provisions of the Act and that the government is taking action where needed.