New Delhi August 10, 2007 The National Human Rights Commission has sent notice to the District Collector, Barpeta and Secretary, Department of Primary Education, Assam, on a press report which said that the Head master of a School had been depriving the students of mid day meals for the last two months. The report which appeared in "The Sentinel" on August 1, 2007 said that the students of Kahikuchi, Lower Primary School in Barpeta district had not been getting the mid day meals for the last two months. The report also said that the school had been getting regular funds for the midday meals scheme under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Mission.

The Commission calling the news report as distressing, asked the State authorities for a factual report within four weeks.



The Commission also took suo-motu cognizance of a news report which appeared in "The National Herald" on August 3, 2007. According to the report the Koraga tribe in Kasargod district, Kerala have been facing serious threat to survival due to malnourishment, poverty and dreaded diseases. Citing the 1991 Census, the news report said that the number of Koraga tribe has been reduced to only 1579. The report added that medical records revealed that tuberculosis was the main cause for the deaths followed by cancer and leprosy.

The Commission has directed that the newspaper report be forwarded to the District Collector Kasargod and Chief Secretary, Kerala for a factual report within four weeks.

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