 Ms. Mahrukh Adenwala speaks on New JJ Bill 2014 |
| A half -day workshop on the topic ‘Repeal and Re- Enactment of the JJ Act : Understanding the New Provisions’ was organised by the Don Bosco Research Centre in partnership with Shelter Don Bosco and Don Bosco Balprafulta on 12th Sept, 2014 at the Don Bosco Provincial House, Matunga. The programme was meant for the NGOs providing shelter services to children in need of care and protection and to engage them in a time of discussion around the new JJ Bill, 2014. It was pertinent that the NGOs aired their views on the Bill and brought to the notice of the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare before JJ Bill became the law. The programme was steered by Ms. Mahrukh Adenwala, a Child Rights activist and an advocate at the High Court of Mumbai. Some of the contentious points which Ms. Mahrukh highlighted and expected the audience to critically analyse were (a) lowering of age of juvenile offenders from 18-16 years (b) lack of clarity in terms of shelter home, Children’s Home and Open shelter (c) District Magistrate having authority over Child Welfare Committee (CWC) (d) removal of schemes for after care for post 18 years. Suggestions from the participants included (a) re-examination and revamping of the correctional and rehabilitation facilities that are integral to the reformation process (b) enabling children to acquire sufficient skills while under institutional care (c) maintain a list of children moving out of institutional care for planning aftercare programme. |