Code: Section 69 JJ Act
(1) The Authority shall have a Steering Committee with the following members:
(a) Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, who shall be the Chairperson—ex officio;
(b) Joint Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, dealing with Authority—ex officio;
(c) Joint Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, dealing with Finance—ex officio;
(d) one State Adoption Resource Agency and two Specialised Adoption Agencies;
(e) one adoptive parent and one adoptee;
(f) one advocate or a professor having at least ten years of experience in family law;
(g) Member-Secretary, who shall also be Chief Executive Officer of the organisation.
(2) Criteria for the selection or nomination of the Members mentioned at clauses (d) to (f) of subsection (1), their tenure as well as the terms and conditions of their appointment shall be such as may be prescribed.
(3) The Steering Committee shall have the following functions:
(a) to oversee the functioning of the Authority and review its working from time to time so that it operates in the most effective manner;
(b) to approve the annual budget, annual accounts and audit reports, as well as the action plan and annual report of the Authority;
(c) to adopt the recruitment rules, service rules, financial rules of the Authority, as well as the other regulations for the exercise of the administrative and programmatic powers within the organisation, with the prior approval of the Central Government;
(d) any other function that may be vested with it by the Central Government from time to time.
(4) The Steering Committee shall meet once a month in the manner as may be prescribed.
(5) The Authority shall function from its headquarters and through its regional offices as may be set up as per its functional necessity.
Explanation of Section 69 JJ Act
Formation and Composition of the Steering Committee
Section 69 of the Juvenile Justice Act establishes a Steering Committee within the Authority to oversee its functioning. This committee is tasked with ensuring that the Authority operates in the most efficient and effective manner. The Steering Committee is composed of high-level officials from the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), representatives from adoption agencies, adoptees, and legal experts.
Key Members of the Steering Committee
- Chairperson: The Secretary of the MWCD, Government of India (ex officio).
- Members:
- Joint Secretaries from the MWCD (dealing with the Authority and Finance).
- A representative from the State Adoption Resource Agency and two Specialised Adoption Agencies.
- An adoptive parent and an adoptee.
- A family law expert (advocate or professor).
- The Member-Secretary, who also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority.
Functions of the Steering Committee
The Steering Committee has several essential duties, including:
- Oversight: Regular review and supervision of the Authority’s work.
- Approval: It approves the annual budget, audit reports, and the Authority’s action plan.
- Regulation and Policy Making: Adoption of recruitment, service, and financial rules for the Authority.
- Government Collaboration: Acts as a liaison with the Central Government for matters related to the functioning of the Authority.
Meeting Schedule
The Steering Committee is required to meet once a month to ensure the effective functioning of the Authority and make decisions on matters requiring attention.
Illustration
Example 1: Overseeing Authority’s Functioning
The Steering Committee regularly reviews the adoption procedures and makes necessary recommendations to ensure they are in line with the best interests of children. It also ensures the compliance of adoption agencies with regulations.
Example 2: Budget Approval
The Committee reviews the Authority’s annual budget, ensuring that funds are appropriately allocated for adoption initiatives and child welfare programs, maintaining transparency and efficiency.
Common Questions and Answers on Section 69 JJ Act
- What is the role of the Steering Committee?
The Steering Committee oversees the functioning of the Authority, reviews its performance, and approves key documents like budgets and reports. - Who is on the Steering Committee?
It includes the Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Joint Secretaries, representatives from adoption agencies, adoptees, adoptive parents, and family law experts. - How often does the Steering Committee meet?
The Steering Committee meets once every month to discuss and review the operations of the Authority. - What is the responsibility of the Steering Committee regarding the budget?
It is responsible for approving the annual budget, audit reports, and the action plan of the Authority.
Conclusion
Section 69 of the Juvenile Justice Act ensures that the Steering Committee plays a crucial role in maintaining the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of the Authority. By overseeing key functions and approving important documents, the committee guarantees that adoption procedures are conducted in the best interests of children.
For more information on the Juvenile Justice Act, visit ApniLaw.
