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The Supreme Court on Monday asked the officers of the State and Union Territories to extend full cooperation with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights in the implementation of suggestions for the rehabilitation of Children in Street Situation (CISS).

A bench of Justice L. Nageswara Rao and Justice BR Gavai has further directed NCPCR to conduct to periodical reviews at least once per month to monitor the implementation of the suggestions.

Whereas, the bench has also directed NCPCR to file a status report regarding the implementation of the suggestion for the rehabilitation of CISS within a period of 4 weeks.

The bench was hearing the suo-motu cognizance taken by the apex court in regards to the children who are in street situations and who have lost their parents to Covid- 19.

The learned Amicus Curie Gaurav Agarwal informed the bench that the suggestions made by the NCPCR at the present stage, there are no objections made by any State Government, presumably because suggestions are made after the consultation with the State Governments.

In addition to this, ASG KM Natarajan appearing for NCPCR stated that the information that was directed to be given by the State Government and the UT regarding the CISS is not being provided.

Over the issues, the bench noted, "In case any State Government or Union Territory needs any deviation in the suggestions they may approach NCPCR for suitable modifications in the suggestions...Till date information relating to only 17914 CISS has been provided and the rough estimate of the CISS in the country being to the tune of 20 Lakhs, we reiterate the direction given earlier that the concerned authorities have to update the material that is required on the web portal of NCPCR without fail."

Earlier, the bench had noted that "In a next meeting going to be conducted by NCPCR, the issue relating to rehabilitation of children without waiting of entire procedure should be discussed without any delay."

The bench further directed the State Governments to instruct all the authorities, not to delay the identification and rehabilitation of children in street situations. and listed the matter for further hearing after 4 weeks.

Case Title: In Re: Contagion of Covid-19 Virus In Children Protection Homes