NHRC recommends 5000 rupees each to 49 children who
fell ill during Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations in UP
New Delhi June 07, 2007
The National Human Rights Commission has strongly condemned the practice of using children as showpieces during VIP visits. The Commission's view came out emphatically as it recommended 5,000 Rupees each to all the 49 children who were taken ill during Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, in the year 2005. Emphasizing that the State administration should treat the children as valuable national assets and must handle them with care and affection, the Commission has recommended to the UP Government to pay the amount to these children.
It may be recalled that during Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations in 2005 these children were forced to sit in scorching heat without food and shelter as the Chief Guest, reached the venue three hours late. The complaint filed in the Commission stated that many of the children fainted as they waited from 6 a.m in the morning to 1 p.m in heat without any arrangement for first aid or transport.
The Commission further said "forcing the children to sit in scorching sun for six long hours is blatant violation of human rights and the State government should pay token relief to the affected, in order to prevent recurrence of such incidents".
In February this year, the Commission had issued notice to the State Chief Secretary to show-cause as to why interim relief should not be recommended to these 49 children who became unwell due to the callous attitude of the local administration.
The Commission's recommendation comes, as the State Government has so far not responded to the show cause notice. Only a copy of letter addressed by Secretary, Home to District Collector, Kanpur has been forwarded to the Commission. The UP Government has not come out with any plea and the Commission presumes that it is has nothing to say against the grant of interim relief to the children.
The State Chief Secretary has been directed to submit compliance report, along with proof of payment within eight weeks.
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The National Human Rights Commission has strongly condemned the practice of using children as showpieces during VIP visits. The Commission's view came out emphatically as it recommended 5,000 Rupees each to all the 49 children who were taken ill during Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, in the year 2005. Emphasizing that the State administration should treat the children as valuable national assets and must handle them with care and affection, the Commission has recommended to the UP Government to pay the amount to these children.
It may be recalled that during Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations in 2005 these children were forced to sit in scorching heat without food and shelter as the Chief Guest, reached the venue three hours late. The complaint filed in the Commission stated that many of the children fainted as they waited from 6 a.m in the morning to 1 p.m in heat without any arrangement for first aid or transport.
The Commission further said "forcing the children to sit in scorching sun for six long hours is blatant violation of human rights and the State government should pay token relief to the affected, in order to prevent recurrence of such incidents".
In February this year, the Commission had issued notice to the State Chief Secretary to show-cause as to why interim relief should not be recommended to these 49 children who became unwell due to the callous attitude of the local administration.
The Commission's recommendation comes, as the State Government has so far not responded to the show cause notice. Only a copy of letter addressed by Secretary, Home to District Collector, Kanpur has been forwarded to the Commission. The UP Government has not come out with any plea and the Commission presumes that it is has nothing to say against the grant of interim relief to the children.
The State Chief Secretary has been directed to submit compliance report, along with proof of payment within eight weeks.
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