Apex child rights body NCPCR has asked states to sensitise children housed at child care institutions about the importance of social distancing and staying indoors to protect themselves from coronavirus.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has also asked states to ensure that the child care institutions are equipped with sufficient academic and recreation material for the kids. 

The NCPCR also urged states to release pending funds to the child care institutions at the earliest. 

NCPCR

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) was set up in March 2007 under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, an Act of Parliament (December 2005). 

It works under the aegis of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD).

The commission’s mandate is to ensure that all laws, policies, programmes and administrative mechanisms are in consonance with the child rights perspective as enshrined in the Constitution of India and also the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 

The child is defined as a person under the age of 18. 

The commission visualises a rights-based perspective flowing into national policies and programmes, along with nuanced responses at the state, district and block levels, taking care of specificities and strengths of each region. 

Functions of NCPCR

* Examine and review the safeguards provided by or under any law for the time being in force for the protection of child rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation.

* Inquire into violation of child rights and recommend initiation of proceedings in such cases.

* Examine all factors that inhibit the enjoyment of rights of children affected by terrorism, communal violence, riots, natural disaster, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, trafficking, maltreatment, torture and exploitation, pornography and prostitution and recommend appropriate remedial measures.

* Look into the matters relating to children in need of special care and protection including children in distress, marginalised and disadvantaged children, children in conflict with law, juveniles, children without family and children of prisoners and recommend appropriate remedial measures.

* Study treaties and other international instruments and undertake periodical review of existing policies, programmes and other activities on child rights and make recommendations for their effective implementation in the best interest of children.

* Undertake and promote research in the field of child rights.

* Spread child rights literacy among various sections of the society and promote awareness of the safeguards available for protection of these rights through publications, the media, seminars and other available means.

* Inquire into complaints and take suo motu notice of matters relating to 

deprivation and violation of child rights, non-implementation of laws providing for protection and development of children, non-compliance of policy decisions, guidelines or instructions aimed at mitigating hardships to and ensuring welfare of the children and to provide relief to such children, or take up the issues arising out of such matters with appropriate authorities. 

The commission consists of:

A chairperson who is a person of eminence and has done outstanding work for promoting  the welfare of children.

Six members, out of which at least two are women, are appointed by the central government.

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