GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Women and Child Development

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 946
TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.03.2016
Vacancies for judges in POCSO Courts

946. Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar 

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the number of vacancies for judges in Protection of Children from Sexual
Offences (POCSO) Courts in the country, State-wise and district-wise;
(b) the steps being taken by Government to ensure that all vacancies are filled, including the timeline by which this shall be accomplished;
(c) whether the Ministry is aware that vacancies for judges in POCSO Courts is jeopardizing the objective of the POCSO Act; and
(d) if so, the steps Government is taking to review the capacity of the institutions involved with implementing the POCSO Act effectively?

Answer
MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

(a) As reported by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), out of 654 districts across the country, there are 605 special Courts established under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. However, the details of number of vacancies for judges in such courts are not available.

(b) to (d): Section 44 of the POCSO Act, 2012 empowers the NCPCR and State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) for monitoring the implementation of the provisions of this Act in such manner as may be prescribed. Section 28 of POCSO Act interalia provides that the State Government shall in consultation with Chief Justice of the High Court designate for each district a Court of Session to be Special Court to try the offences under this Act. However, the Ministry has been requesting to State/UTs from time to time to implement the provisions of POCSO Act 2012.