Bhubaneswar Consultation Marks 10 Years of Child Protection Law
Bhubaneswar, Sept 2026: A state‑level consultation in Bhubaneswar marked a decade of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, highlighting Odisha’s roadmap for child protection and rehabilitation.
Organised by the High Court of Orissa’s Juvenile Justice Committee, the Department of Women & Child Development, and UNICEF Odisha, the event emphasised a prevention‑first approach—keeping children out of conflict with the law and reducing reliance on institutional care.
Four thematic panels addressed key challenges:
- Children in Conflict with Law: Dr Kalpana Purushothaman led discussions on preliminary assessments for heinous offences and rehabilitation pathways.
- Children in Need of Care & Protection (CNCP): Ms Nimisha Srivastava stressed vulnerability mapping, preventing family separation, and inclusion of children with special needs.
- Family‑Based Care & Adoption: Mr Prabhat Kumar advocated foster care, sponsorship, and aftercare to strengthen family‑based alternatives.
- Offences Against Children: Mr Vedprakash Gautam and activist Sunitha Krishnan highlighted child‑friendly police/court procedures and urgent action against cybercrime, online exploitation, and substance abuse.
Speakers acknowledged that the 2015 Act improved adoption and child protection frameworks under Mission Vatsalya.
Looking ahead, priorities include stronger inter‑departmental coordination, upgraded infrastructure, capacity‑building for frontline workers, and greater district‑level accountability.
Justice M.S. Raman, in his closing remarks, commended the unified efforts of the judiciary, government, and civil society to secure a safer future for Odisha’s youth.
