HC slams Punjab,Haryana for failing to form child rights body

During the resumed hearing,the Haryana government on Monday submitted that it will constitute a comprehensive authority. Unimpressed with the submission,the court questioned as to why a commission was not being set up. Incidentally,the Haryana government,on the last date of hearing,had promised to form a Right to Education Protection Authority (REPA). The court,however,had questioned the constitution of the REPA as all the proposed members were bureaucrats.

For an effective commission,the high court on Monday directed the Haryana government to consult the chairman of the Haryana Legal Services Authority on the issue of members and chairman to be appointed for the commission.

The counsel for the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights,advocate Anil Malhotra emphasised that the two states cannot escape from their responsibilities on the child right issue and urged the states to appoint people with experience and knowledge in the protection of child rights.

In the case of Punjab,the high court took strong exception to the non-assistance by government authorities. On April 15,2011 the Punjab government had told the court that it has decided to set up a Commission for protection of child rights. However,no names of its members have been submitted till now. When asked,counsel for Punjab government failed to assist the court citing lack of co-operation from government authorities.

Taking serious note of this,the high court ordered that the secretary,Department of Social Security and Women shall remain present in the Court on May 28,if the government fails to file an affidavit submitting the required information. The case will now come up for resumed hearing on May 28.