Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 134/23

AWARENESS ON NALSA ACT 2015 CONDUCTED AT MAWKYRWAT

The office of the District Legal Services Authority, South West Khasi Hills District Mawkyrwat today conducted An Awareness Programme on the topic NALSA (Child friendly Legal Services to children and their Protection) Scheme 2015 and Juvenille Justice (Care and protection of Children) Act 2015 at Rising Secondary School, Sohkhyllam, South West Khasi Hills District, Mawkyrwat.

Smt. D. Sohtun, CJM and Secretary DLSA, South West Khasi Hills District said that the Awareness programme was organize with a view to educate public as well as stakeholders on childs rights and their protection on the available child protection services, schemes and structure at all levels. The NALSA (Child friendly Legal Services to children and their protection) Scheme 2015 envisage the basic rights and benefits that should be afforded to children and to make them understand the importance of their rights as enshrined under the constitution and various laws such as Child Marriage Restraint Act, Child Labour Prohibition Act, Juvenille Justice Act, POCSO Act, etc. She also discussed on the need for childrens right and its constitutional provision and policies of the government in safeguarding and protection the rights of children.

Speaking on the occasion, shri. S.R. Kharkongngor, District Child Protection Unit, South West Khasi Hills District said that the Juvenille Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 has come into force from Jan 15, 2016 and repeals the Juvenille Justice, Act, 2000. The Act deals with the law relating to juvenilles in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection by providing them with proper care, protection and treatment by catering to their needs and by adopting a child friendly approach in the adjudication and disposition of matters in the best interest. The Act mseeks to reduce crime committed by children between the ages of 16 and 18 It also specifies procedural safeguard in cases of children in conflict with law and seek to address the challenges in the existing act such as delay in adoption processes, high pendency of cases accountability of institution etc.