West Bengal to Set Up Five New POCSO Courts

13-Sep-2024

West Bengal to Set Up Five New POCSO Courts

Indian Polity

Why in the News?

The West Bengal government has announced plans to establish five new POCSO fast-track special courts in the state. Currently, West Bengal has 62 POCSO courts, along with six e-POCSO courts. This decision was revealed by Minister of State (Independent Charge) Chandrima Bhattacharya during a press conference today. Now there will be 67 POCSO fast-track courts in West Bengal as well as 6 e-POCSO courts.

The POCSO Act: Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act

It came into effect on 14^th November 2012 which was enacted in consequence to India’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992.
Aim: To address offences of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, which were either not specifically defined or inadequately penalized.
It defines a child as any person under the age of 18 and lays down provisions for various offenses, including sexual assault, harassment, and pornography.
Further amended in 2019: To Introduce more stringent punishment including the death penalty for Committing sexual crimes on children.
Composition: 1 Judicial Member + 7 Staff Members
The Department of Justice under the Ministry of Law and Justice is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, to set up Fast Track Special Courts including exclusive POCSO Courts.
It is gender neutral in nature that means both boys and girls can be victims of sexual abuse.

West Bengal

Location: Eastern region of India
Bordering Countries: Bangladesh to the east and Bhutan to the north.
Bordering States: Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Sikkim, and Assam.
Capital: Kolkata
Official Language: Bengali
It is one of India’s largest producers of rice, jute, tea, particularly the world-famous Darjeeling tea.
Chief Minister: Mamata Banerjee
Governor: CV Ananda Bose
Minerals: Coal, Limestone, China Clay, Copper, Granite and Dolomite
Major Industrial Plants
- Durgapur Steel Plant: One of India’s largest steel plants, part of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), located in Durgapur.
- Bengal Chemical & Pharmaceuticals Ltd.: India’s first pharmaceutical company, located in Kolkata.
- Haldia Petrochemicals: One of the largest petrochemical plants in India, located in Haldia.
- Tata Metaliks Plant: A pig iron manufacturing plant in Kharagpur.
- Chittaranjan Locomotive Works: A leading manufacturer of electric locomotives in India, located in Chittaranjan.
Major Rivers: Ganga, Teesta, Hooghly, Damodar, Subarnarekha
Wildlife Sanctuaries and Reserves
- Sundarbans National Park
- Buxa Tiger Reserve
- Jaldapara National Park
- Gorumara National Park
- Singalila National Park
- Neora Valley National Park
Major Port: Kolkata Port (Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port) and Haldia Port

Location of West Bengal