Ministry of Women and Child Development
The Women’s and Children’s Institutions (Licensing) Act, 1956, was enacted to regulate institutions dedicated to the reception, care, protection, and welfare of women and children. The Act recognized the need to ensure that such institutions maintain proper standards of care, management, and supervision. It introduced a mandatory licensing system to monitor and regulate these institutions, ensuring the well-being and safety of their residents. This Act falls under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Enactment Date, Number of Chapters, Number of Sections:
The Act was enacted on December 30, 1956. It consists of 12 sections and is not formally divided into chapters.
Act Governed By:
The Act’s implementation is overseen by the State Governments, which have the power to appoint licensing authorities and make rules for the Act’s enforcement.
On Whom It Is Applicable:
The Act applies to all institutions established and maintained for the reception, care, protection, and welfare of women and children. It covers a range of institutions, including orphanages, shelters, and other residential care facilities. It does not apply to hostels or boarding houses attached to educational institutions or protective homes under the Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls Act.
Penalties/Punishments:
The Act prescribes penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for operating an institution without a license or violating the conditions of a license.
Important Pointers:
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Mandates licensing for all institutions for women and children.
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Outlines the application process for obtaining a license.
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Specifies that licenses are non-transferable.
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Empowers the licensing authority to revoke a license for breaches of conditions or mismanagement.
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Provides for an appeal process against refusal or revocation of a license.
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Prescribes penalties for non-compliance with the Act.
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Empowers State Governments to make rules for the Act’s implementation, including regulations related to the management and inspection of institutions.