(a) the manner in which the Government ensures civil rights to the orphans in the country;
(b) whether the Government has enacted any legislation in this regard;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the time by which a legislation is likely to be enacted in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)
(a) to (e): The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 [JJ Act] is
the primary legislation for children in difficult circumstances which provides for care and
rehabilitation of children in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection,
including orphans by providing for proper care, protection and treatment by catering to their
developmental needs. The JJ Act, inter-alia, provides for procedures and structures such as
Child Welfare Committees, Homes of various types including Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs),
as well as non-institutional care such as sponsorship and foster-care, to take care of the needs
of the children until they become adults. Those children, who do not have parents or have been
abandoned or surrendered, are provided a loving family through adoption. Further, support is
also provided for children when they leave the Homes on attaining the age of 18 years to help
them in transition to independent life.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, the
Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) to support the services envisaged under the Act for
these children. Under ICPS, financial assistance is provided to State Governments/UT
Administrations for children in need of care and protection, which includes orphans.