NHRC asks UP govt to pay compensation to children

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, June 7: As the Uttar Pradesh Government failed to respond to an NHRC notice on awarding interim relief to 49 children who took ill during the 2005 Gandhi Jayanti celebrations in Kanpur, the Commission has recommended compensation of Rs 5,000 each to all the students.

Condeming the practise of making children go through a long wait during VIP visits, the Commission asked the Uttar Pradesh governemnt to pay the compensation.

NHRC also directed the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary to submit a compliance report, along with proof of payment within eight weeks.

During Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations in 2005, the children were forced to sit in scorching heat without food and shelter as the Chief Guest, arrived three hours late.

A complaint filed in the Commission stated that many of the children fainted as they waited from 0600 hrs to 1300 hrs in heat without any arrangement for first aid or transport.

''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,'' the Commission said.

In February, the Commission had issued notice to the State Chief Secretary to show-cause as to why interim relief should not be recommended to the 49 children who took ill due to the callous attitude of the local administration.

So far the State Government has not responded to the show cause notice.

Only a copy of a 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 has nothing to say against the grant of interim relief to the children,'' NHRC said.

UNI

For Daily Alerts
Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
X