Functions and Powers
Powers & Functions of the Commission
Mandate and Authority of TGSCPCR
Powers & Functions of the Commission
The Telangana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (TSCPCR) plays a pivotal role in safeguarding child rights. Its functions encompass reviewing existing safeguards, addressing violations, conducting inquiries into diverse issues affecting children, promoting awareness, inspecting juvenile facilities, and taking proactive measures to ensure the effective implementation of policies for the well-being of children. The commission remains vigilant in its commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of children across various domains.
The TSCPCR possesses broad powers to safeguard child rights in Telangana, including the authority to examine, inquire into violations, act with civil court powers, recommend legal actions, approach higher courts, grant interim relief, inspect facilities, handle complaints, and conduct research, allowing comprehensive advocacy and protection of children’s well-being.
Primary Functions
1. Examine and Review Safeguards
The Commission shall, in addition to the functions assigned to it under clauses (a) to (k) of sub-section (1) of section 13 with modifications as per section 24 of the Act, perform the following functions, namely:-
- (a) Analyse existing law, policy and practice to assess compliance with Convention on the Rights of the Child, undertake inquiries and produce reports on any aspect of policy and practice affecting children and comment on proposed new legislation from a child rights perspective;
- (b) Study national and state policies that impact children and ensure that they comply with international child rights standards.
- (c) Present to the State Government, National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights and other Commissions of the State annually and such other intervals as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of safeguards in relation to children;
- (d) Undertake formal investigations where concern has been expressed either by children themselves or by concerned person on their behalf;
- (e) Ensure that the work of the Commission is directly informed by the views of children in order to reflect their priorities and perspectives;
- (f) Promote, respect and give serious consideration of the views of children in its work and in that of all Government Department and Organizations dealing with child;
- (g) Produce and disseminate information about child rights;
- (h) Compile and analyze data on children
- (i) Promote the incorporation of child rights into the school curriculum, teachers training and training of personnel dealing with children
- (J) Refer cases and issues of national and inter-state importance to the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights as and when required;
- (k) Make regional visits and hold public meetings at least once every year in all regions of State.
A. The Commission shall perform all or any of the following functions, namely:
- (a) examine and review the safeguards provided by or under any law for the time being in force for the protection of child rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation;
- (b) present to the Central Government, annually and at such other intervals, as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards;
- (c) inquire into violation of child rights and recommend initiation of proceedings in such cases;
- (d) examine all factors that inhibit the enjoyment of rights of children affected by terrorism, communal violence, riots, natural disaster, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, trafficking, maltreatment, torture and exploitation, pornography and prostitution and recommend appropriate remedial measures;
- (e) look into the matters relating to children in need of special care and protection including children in distress, marginalized and disadvantaged children, children in conflict with law, juveniles, children without family and children of prisoners and recommend appropriate remedial measures;
- (f) study treaties and other international instruments and undertake periodical review of existing policies, programmes and other activities on child rights and make recommendations for their effective implementation in the best interest of children;
- (g) undertake and promote research in the field of child rights;
- (h) spread child rights literacy among various sections of the society and promote awareness of the safeguards available for protection of these rights through publications, the media, seminars and other available means;
- (i) inspect or cause to be inspected any juvenile custodial home, or any other place of residence or institution meant for children, under the control of the Central Government or any State Government or any other authority, including any institution run by a social organisation, where children are detamed or lodged for the purpose of treatment, reformation or protection and take up with these authorities for remedial action, if found necessary;
- (j) inquire into complaints and take suo motu notice of matters relating to,-
- deprivation and violation of child rights;
- non-implementation of laws providing for protection and development of children;
- non-compliance of policy decisions, guidelines or instructions aimed at mitigating hardships to and ensuring welfare of the children and to provide relief to such children.
- (k) such other functions as it may consider necessary for the promotion of child rights and any other matter incidental to the above functions.
or take up the issues arising out of such matters with appropriate authorities, and
(2) The Commission shall not inquire into any matter which is pending before a State Commission or any other Commission duly constituted under any law for the time being in force.
B. (1)The Commission shall, while inquiring into any matter referred to in clause (j) of Powers sub-section (l) of section 13 have all the powers of a civil court trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 and, in particular, in respect of the following matters, namely:-
- (a)summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
- (b) discovery and production of any document;
- (c) receiving evidence on affidavits;
- (d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office; and
- (e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents.
(2) The Commission shall have the power to forward any case to a Magistrate having jurisdiction to try the same and the Magistrate to whom any such case is forwarded shall proceed to hear the complaint against the accused as if the case has been forwarded to him under section 346 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
Special Powers
Summon Witnesses
Power to summon and examine witnesses and documents
Visit Institutions
Power to visit jails, remand homes, and child care institutions
Emergency Orders
Power to issue emergency orders for child protection
Public Awareness
Authority to conduct awareness programs and campaigns
Monitoring Functions
Data Collection
Regular collection of child welfare data
Progress Tracking
Monitor implementation progress
Early Warning
Identify potential violations early