49 complaints of sexual exploitation of children in child care institutions in last 3 yrs: Min

New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI) There have been 49 complaints of sexual exploitation and harassment of children in child care institutions in the last three years, the women and child development ministry informed Parliament on Friday.

"As per the information provided by the National Commission for Protection

of Child Rights (NCPCR), 49 complaints of sexual exploitation/harassment of children

in the Child Care Institutions (CCIs)/Juvenile Homes/Adoption agencies etc. have

been received during the last three years -- 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and the

current year (2019-20)," minister Smriti Irani informed the Lok Sabha.

The primary responsibility of execution of the Juvenile Justice Act lies with the State/UT government, she said.

"Ministry has been pursuing with the State/UT Governments to regularly monitor the CCIs. Ministry had issued an advisory to the State/UT Governments on the action to be taken in case of disruption to the life of children and any untoward incidence of abuse

in CCIs," she said.

Most number of cases, 18, have been reported from Uttar Pradesh. PTI ASG

RHL