Appoint Nodal Agency For Coordination Between Govt Departments, Administration Of Child Rehabilitation Schemes: High Court To Delhi Govt

The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Government to appoint a nodal agency for co-ordination between various government entities and administration of child rehabilitation schemes.

While dealing with two pleas concerning the issue of rehabilitation of children, a division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula directed the Delhi Government to file a comprehensive status report within four weeks.

The Delhi Government told court that multiple agencies under various Government departments control different facets of child rehabilitation programmes. However, it also submitted that in order to achieve meaningful results, co-ordination between the agencies and departments is needed.

“In light of the above, GNCTD is directed to file a comprehensive status report within four weeks, and appoint a nodal agency for the co- ordination between various government entities and administration of child rehabilitation schemes,” the court said while listing the matter for hearing next on November 24.

One of the PILs was filed by one Ajay Gautam seeking requisite steps to eradicate the problem of child beggary and related problems in and around the national capital. The plea sought strict implementation of the provisions contained in the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.

Another PIL was filed by an NGO namely Yathartha Foundation seeking similar relief.

In September, the court had sought a detailed status report from the Delhi Government on the steps taken for rehabilitating children in conflict with law who have been rescued from child beggary and housed in various rehabilitation centres in the national capital.

It had also directed the Delhi Government to include in the status report the assessment of long-term impact of such rehabilitation centres on the children under their care.

The bench had said that it is crucial to examine the impact of various rehabilitation measures in light of “persistence of grave social issue” of child begging.

Title: YATHARATHA FOUNDATION v. THE UNION OF INDIA AND ORS & other connected matter

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