Section 40 in The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Rules, 2016
40. Children's Committees.
(1)Person-in-charge of every institution for children shall facilitate the setting up of children's committees for different age groups of children, that is in the age group of 6 to 10 years, 11 to 15 years and 16 to 18 years and these children's committees shall be constituted solely by children.(2)Such children's committee shall be encouraged to participate in following activities:(i)improvement of the condition of the institution;(ii)reviewing the standards of care being followed;(iii)preparing daily routine and diet scale;(iv)developing educational, vocational and recreation plans;(v)respecting each other and supporting each other in managing crisis;(vi)reporting abuse and exploitation by peers and caregivers;(vii)creative expression of their views through wall papers or newsletters or paintings or music or theatre;(viii)management of institution through the Management Committee.(3)The Person-in-charge shall ensure that the children's committees meet every month and maintain a register for recording their activities and proceedings, and place it before the Management Committee in their monthly meetings.(4)The Person-in-charge shall ensure that the children's committees are provided with essential support and materials including stationary, space and guidance for effective functioning.(5)The Person-in-charge may, as far as feasible, seek assistance from local voluntary organizations or child participation experts for the setting up and functioning of the children's committees.(6)The local voluntary organization or child participation expert shall support the children's committees in the following:(i)electing their leaders and in devising the procedure to be followed for conducting the elections;(ii)conducting the elections and monthly meetings;(iii)framing rules for the functioning of children's committees and following it;(iv)maintaining records and Children's Suggestion Book and other relevant documents; and(v)any other innovative activity.(7)If there is a problem or suggestion that requires immediate attention, the Chairperson of the Management Committee shall call for an emergency meeting of the Management Committee to discuss and take necessary action.(8)The quorum for conducting emergency meetings shall be five members, including two members of Children's Committees, Chairperson of the Management Committee, Member of the Board or the Committee, as the case may be, and the Person-in-charge of the Child Care Institution.(9)In the event of a serious allegation or complaint against the Person-in-charge of the institution, he shall not be part of the emergency meeting and another available member of the Management Committee shall be included in his place.(10)All suggestions received through the suggestion box and action taken as a result of the decisions made in the emergency meeting or action required to be taken shall be placed for discussion and review in the monthly meeting of the Management Committee.(11)A Children's Suggestion Book shall be maintained in every institution where the complaints and action taken by the Management Committee are duly recorded and such action and follow up shall be communicated to the Children's Committees after every monthly meeting of the Management Committee.(12)The Board or Committee shall review the Children's Suggestion Book at least once a month.(13)The complaint box shall be accessible by the Chairperson of the Committee or any other person authorised by him.
