The Lok Sabha today passed a bill empowering the Women and Child Development Ministry to constitute a Commission for Child Rights, the power earlier vested with the HRD Ministry.
The Commission for Protection of Child Rights Bill, 2006 was approved by the House by a voice vote.
Replying to a brief debate on the bill, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury said due to insensitivity on the part of state agencies and parents, a large number of children were facing exploitation at work places and homes.
Participating in the debate, Rasa Singh Rawat (BJP) asked the government to direct states to set up Child Commissions.
Shailendra Kumar (SP) said efforts should be stepped up to improve condition of numerous government schools in the country.
Raghunath Jha (RJD) expressed concern over school drop-out levels.
Pratibha Singh (Cong) said every child has right to protection from abuse.
Others wanted the government to earmark more funds for the Ministry considering the importance of child rights.