The Government, in the Ministry of Women and Child Development has held consultations with the child right experts/activists on various issues, including lowering the age bar for juveniles. The Government, in the Ministry of Home Affairs have constituted a committee of eminent jurists under the Chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) J.S. Verma, former Chief Justice of India. The committee held several discussions with various experts, including child right experts/activists on these issues and in its recommendations has not supported the suggestion regarding reduction of the age of the child in conflict with law.
A scheme on ˜Restorative Justice to Victims of Rape™ as a component of the Umbrella Scheme for Protection and Empowerment of Women has been formulated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development for implementation during the remaining years of the 12th Plan.
Besides, Section 33 (8) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act, 2012 provides that the Special Court may, in addition to punishment, direct payment of such compensation as may be prescribed to the child for any physical or mental trauma caused to him or for immediate rehabilitation of such child. The Rules made under the Act provide that the compensation so provided may be awarded not only upon the conclusion of the case but also at an interim stage, so as to meet the immediate needs of the child for relief or rehabilitation at any stage after registration of the First Information Report from the victims Compensation Fund or other scheme or fund established by the State Government for the purpose of compensating and rehabilitating victims. Further, the Rules provide that the emergency medical care professional attending to the immediate medical needs of the child must, wherever necessary, make a referral or consultation for mental or psychological health or other counseling.
This was stated by Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister for Women and Child Development, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha today.
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