New Delhi, Apr 29: Government has decided to constitute a National Commission for Children (NCC) to give protection to children and act as an independent ombudsman for them. To be set up on the lines of National Human Rights Commission, the proposed six-member commission will be headed either by a sitting or former judge of the Supreme Court or a person of eminence who has done outstanding work in this area.

Announcing this at a press conference, human resources development minister Murli Manohar Joshi said that the Union Cabinet in its last meeting held on April 23 gave its nod to setting up the commission.

The commission will have members in the field of child health, education, child care and development, juvenile justice, children with disabilities, elimination of child labour and child psychology.

Nearly 40 countries have commission or ombudsman for children, Joshi said adding that India is the second country in Asia after Philippines to have such a commission for children.

Bureau Report