NCPCR

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)

#GS-02 Social Justice

For Prelims

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR):

  • NCPRC is a statutory body created on March 2007 under Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005.
  • The act defines “child rights” as the children’s rights adopted in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in November 1989.
  • The convention was ratified by the Indian Government on 11 December 1992.
  • NCPCR works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Women & Child Development.

Powers and Duties of the Commission:

  • The Commission has been mandated to ensure that all Laws, Policies, Programmes, and Administrative Mechanisms are in accordance with the Rights of Children as enshrined in the Constitution of India and also the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
  • It is empowered to enquire into complaints relating to a child’s right to free and compulsory education under the Right to Education Act, 2009.
  • It is also tasked with monitoring the implementation of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

Members and Composition:

  • The commission comprises of a chairperson and six members of which at least two are required to be women.
  • The chairman and members are to be appointed by Central Government for a term of three years.
  • The Chairman and Members are not allowed to hold office for more than 2 terms.
  • The Chairman can have a maximum age of 65 years and 60 years for members.

Resignation and Removal

The Chairperson or Members can resign from their office at any time by addressing the letter of resignation to the Union Government.

The Chairperson or any other Member can be removed by Central Government, if the Chairperson or, such other Member:

  • is adjudged an insolvent; or
  • engaged in any paid employment outside his official duties during his term of office; or
  • incapable of acting or refused to act in accordance with the provisions; or
  • is of unsound mind and so declared by the court; or
  • has misused his position in such a way that it would be bad for the public interest; or
  • is convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for an offense that involves moral turpitude; or
  • is absent from 3 consecutive meetings of the commission without obtaining a leave of absence.

Source “NCPCR warns NGOs over depiction of vulnerable children for fundraising