NEW DELHI: Acting firmly, the Supreme Court has slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 each against 13 states and two Union territories for not filling up vacancies in their State Commission for Child Rights (SCCR), saying a central law must be adhered to.
A bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta noted that these states were in “clear violation” of section 18 of the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 which deals with appointment of a chairperson and other members of such a commission.
The bench imposed the fine on Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Bihar, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura and Uttarakhand and Union terrotories of Chandigarh and Delhi.
“Under the circumstances, these Governments should fill up all the vacancies of the chairperson/members under the 2005 Act within four weeks…Subject to payment of costs of Rs 50,000 to be deposited by each Government within three weeks with the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee for utilisation in juvenile justice issues,” it said. (AGENCIES)
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