Rajya Sabha adjourns after passing Juvenile Justice Amendment Bill, 2021 without discussion

Rajya Sabha passed the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill, 2021 without discussion amid the Opposition's ruckus .Smriti Irani, Minister of Women and Child Development said the Bill intends to safeguard the rights of the vulnerable section of the country.

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha passed the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill, 2021 without discussion amid the Opposition's ruckus. The Bill was passed through voice vote and the House was adjourned for the day.

Smriti Irani, Minister of Women and Child Development while speaking about the Bill said it intends to safeguard the rights of the vulnerable section of the country. The JJ Act was envisioned to protect the rights of children but challenges arose later. The completion of paperwork for adoption takes long time like seven days, while children need protection. CWC will be made to report to District Magistrate with the passing of the Bill.

People aspire to be in CWC and this time we are laying out criteria to disqualify members. If an individual is involved in violation of human rights, convicted in offences on moral grounds, abused children, employed child labour, one would not qualify as a CWC member. She also mentioned a case pending in Madras HC in which a child was taken for adoption by CWC after the child's parents started quarrelling. District Magistrate, Juvenile Justice Board, CWC, State Governments would be empowered, held responsible and accountable, she said.

In a scornful remark against the protesting MPs, Irani said the current politics is such that people who were always attracted to the issues of the vulnerable are now pressing on issues which they consider important. Children of the country deserve our attention, she said. Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi government's efforts in addressing children's issues, she said, Rs 50,000 crores was allocated for the section while Rs 60 crore was only allocated during 2009 and 2010.

Nationalist Congress Party MP Fouzia Khan said the Bill is to protect the children of the nation. But the nation needs protection for itself, she said and demanded a discussion on Pegasus snooping row. The Opposition parties have been pressing upon issues including Pegasus snooping row, farm laws, Covid crisis since the commencement of the Monsoon Session. Some of the MPs ventured into the Well of the House holding placards saying 'Big Brother is Watching', 'Stop Snooping', 'We are not terrorist' amid proceedings.