The Government has introduced a Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2014 in the parliament which proposes mandatory registration of child care institutions within six months from the date of commencement of Act with stringent penalties for non-compliance.
The Bill proposes punishment with imprisonment which may extend to one year or a fine of not less then Rs one lakh or both said Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.
"The Government is aware that several residential care facilities have failed to comply and have not been penalized as the Juvenile Justice Act does not contain penalties for failure to register within the six month period that was provided in the Act," she said.
Under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 there is a provision of registration of such institutions including children's homes, shelter homes etc which have residential care facilities for children.
There are 1389 Child Care Institutions registered under this Act which are getting financial assistance under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme(ICPS).
