(a) whether it is a fact that the number of cases of sexual abuse in the shelter homes is increasing day by day in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the number of cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, State-wise; and
(c) the action taken by the Government in this regard ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)
(a): No such data is maintained by the National Crime Records Bureau.
(b): As per the information published by NCRB, the number of State/UT-wise cases registered under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) for Crime against children is given in Annexure-I. The latest data is of the year 2016.
(c): ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The responsibilities to maintain law
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L.S.US.Q.NO.1519 FOR 12.02.2019
and order, protection of life and property of the citizens rest with the respective State Governments. The State Governments are competent to deal with such offences under the extant provisions of laws. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs had issued an advisory dated 05.12.2018 to all States/UTs regarding adherence to timeline for completion of investigation in cases registered under section 376 of the Indian Penal Code and sections 4 & 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The Ministry of Women & Child Development has also taken various steps from time to time to create awareness of the provisions of the POCSO Act through electronic and print media, consultations, workshops and training programmes with stakeholders concerned. Further, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCRs) are mandated to monitor the implementation of the POCSO Act, 2012.
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