Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath today said she is not in favour reduction of age of juveniles from 18 to 16 years but favours stringent punishment for those involved in henious crimes like murder and rape.
In the backdrop of clamour for having a relook at the definition of juveniles, Tirath said those below 18 don't have the right to vote or can't procure a driving licence.
"We don't give those below 18 the right to vote or don't allow them to drive. We don't give them lot of rights till they are 18. Suddenly, lowering their age group would have lot of other implications and many other changes have to be done after that" she said.
However, she said she is in favour of stringent punishment for youths between 16-18 years who commit henious crimes.
"We are holding talks with different NGO's and Law Ministry officials about the kind and the nature of punishment to be given to them. Just keeping such juveniles in reformation homes won't help and we seriously need to think of some punishment," she said.
She said her ministry has been reviewing the Juvenile Justice Act and are in process of chalking out the amendments.
