Chief Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui further directed the social welfare department to consider the Tabular Chart under which the budgetary allocation for the 17 purposes elaborated in Rule 83(iv) of The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Rules, 2016, in the interest of better utilization of the funds allocated in relation to Rule 83(iv).

It should be mentioned that the amicus curiae of the petition has made a Tabular Chart suggesting the Heads under which the budgetary allocation for the 17 purposes elaborated in Rule 83(iv) of The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Rules, 2016, may be bifurcated for their better utilization.

During the hearing, additional AG, appearing on behalf of the state of Manipur, handed over a communication dated February 12, 2024 authored by Joint Secretary (Social Welfare), government of Manipur, along with the annexures appended thereto, in terms of the direction issued by the High Court order for preparing an estimated budget for the financial year 2024-25.

The Manipur High Court, on its own motion, took up the matter to implement the Juvenile Justice Act provision properly in the state.

The HC had directed the Social Welfare Department of the Government of Manipur to submit details of budgetary allocations made to the Juvenile Justice Fund.

The public interest litigation case will not be closed and would be kept pending to monitor the performance of the state government in terms of the requirements of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and the Rules framed.