Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday told the lok Sabha that the Government may consider the suggestion of reducing the age of juveniles and also request Ministry of Women and Child Welfare to look into it. Recently.
WCD Minister Maneka Gandhi too had backed the need for reducing the age of juveniles engaging in heinous crimes like rape.
“As far as the issue of juvenile’s age is concerned, it is the responsibility of the Women and Child Welfare Ministry. But whatever suggestion was given by the member, we will certainly consider it and convey to the concerned Ministry to consider it,” the Home Minister said replying to a supplementary query during Question Hour.
BJP member Meenakshi lekhi, in her supplementary question, had asked whether the Government has any plan to have an amendment in the legislation to the Juvenile Justice Act to reduce the age of the juveniles who are involved in conflict zones.
Three months ago Supreme Court while delivering judgment on a petition filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy against the lesser punishment to the accused juvenile in Nirbhaya case said that it was upto the Parliament to make laws on reducing the age of juveniles engaged in heinous crimes like rape, murder etc.
To the other questions on women safety, the Home Minister said the Government is planning to set up computer-aided dispatch platforms in 114 cities across the country, including 41 highly crime-prone.
He said his Ministry has envisaged establishment of platforms for supporting Geographical Information System based call taking and Global Positioning-based police vehicle dispatch function that will help to improve the efficiency in responding to women distress calls and provide speedy assistance.
“The project is to be implemented in 114 identified cities, which includes 54 cities having a population of more than one million, cities/towns which are capitals of the State or union territories as well as headquarters of 41 highly crime-prone districts,” he told lok Sabha during Question Hour.
Singh said the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the proposal on February 5, 2014 and has sanctioned a total of `32.69 crore out of the Nirbhaya Fund. The Home Minister said Section 357A of the CrPC stipulates that every State Government in consultation with the Central Government shall prepare a scheme for providing funds for the purpose of compensation to the victims of sexual assault and other assault cases.