Haryana to get child rights protection commission

The Haryana government is set to come up with a commission in the state to protect rights of child welfare. Though initially it had refused to set up such a commission,on Wednesday — during the resumed hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social activist Hemant Goswami — the government apprised the Punjab and Haryana High Court of its revised stand.

A law officer appearing on behalf of the Haryana government,apprised the court that the state has taken a decision to open a Protection of Child Rights Commission. Appearing on behalf of the petitioner,Advocate A P S Shergill,had contended that according to rules,each state is under obligation to open such a commission.

On the last date of hearing,Punjab Additional Advocate General Rupinder Singh Khosla had informed the court that the Punjab government will soon come up with such a commission.

The petitioner had moved the high court seeking directions to Punjab and Haryana to open the commission so that children below the age of 18 years are not forced to work at places prohibited buy law.