The apex child rights body informed the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology about this issue in a letter.
Tag: NCPCR
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NCPCR issues notice to UP govt over madrasa board’s rejection of its recommendations
Express News Service
LUCKNOW: The National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) commission served a notice to the UP government after the UP Madrassa Education Board (UPMEB) unanimously rejected the child rights body’s recommendation, on Wednesday, regarding the shifting non-muslim students from madrassas to other educational facilities.
In the notice addressed to the special secretary, UP Minority Affairs and Waqf Department, NCPCR chairman Priyank Kanoongo said: “No compliance report has been submitted to the commission from the UP government on the recommendations shared on December 8, 2022, for non-Muslim students studying in madrassas.”
The commission, on Dec 8, 2022, asked the government and recognized madrasas to hold an inquiry to find out how many non-Muslim students were enrolled in them so that they could be shifted to other educational institutions. The commission said it had received complaints from different sources about non-Muslim students attending government-funded or recognised madrasas.
“This is a violation of Article 28(3) of the Constitution of India prohibiting educational institutions from obligating the children to take part in any religious instruction, without the consent of parents,” wrote NCPCR chairman to the UP government.
Therefore, NCPCR recommended the UP government to conduct a detailed inquiry into all government-funded or recognized madrassas where non-Muslim children were receiving education. The commission also demanded physical verification of non-Muslim children attending madrassas and shift them to schools for formal education.
On Wednesday, after a meeting of UPMEB chairman Iftikhar Ahmed Javed announced that the Board had unanimously rejected NCPCR recommendations as there could be no differentiation on the basis of the religious faith of the students.
Taking objection to the UPMEB’s stand, Kanoongo, on Friday, wrote to the state government, saying “Madrassa board chairperson’s comment violates the constitutional rights of the children and it disrespects the commission’s mandate.”
Kanoongo sought a compliance report over the commission’s notice within the next three days.
Meanwhile speaking to the media, the UPMEB chairman said that he stood by the Board’s decision reiterating that there would not be a differentiation among the children on the basis of their religious faith.
“If NCPCR head has any evidence of forced religious conversion of any student or forceful admission of non-Muslim students in madrassa, then he must share input and lodge FIR,” Javed said while raising his objection on the NCPCR’s notice.
LUCKNOW: The National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) commission served a notice to the UP government after the UP Madrassa Education Board (UPMEB) unanimously rejected the child rights body’s recommendation, on Wednesday, regarding the shifting non-muslim students from madrassas to other educational facilities.
In the notice addressed to the special secretary, UP Minority Affairs and Waqf Department, NCPCR chairman Priyank Kanoongo said: “No compliance report has been submitted to the commission from the UP government on the recommendations shared on December 8, 2022, for non-Muslim students studying in madrassas.”
The commission, on Dec 8, 2022, asked the government and recognized madrasas to hold an inquiry to find out how many non-Muslim students were enrolled in them so that they could be shifted to other educational institutions. The commission said it had received complaints from different sources about non-Muslim students attending government-funded or recognised madrasas.
“This is a violation of Article 28(3) of the Constitution of India prohibiting educational institutions from obligating the children to take part in any religious instruction, without the consent of parents,” wrote NCPCR chairman to the UP government.
Therefore, NCPCR recommended the UP government to conduct a detailed inquiry into all government-funded or recognized madrassas where non-Muslim children were receiving education. The commission also demanded physical verification of non-Muslim children attending madrassas and shift them to schools for formal education.
On Wednesday, after a meeting of UPMEB chairman Iftikhar Ahmed Javed announced that the Board had unanimously rejected NCPCR recommendations as there could be no differentiation on the basis of the religious faith of the students.
Taking objection to the UPMEB’s stand, Kanoongo, on Friday, wrote to the state government, saying “Madrassa board chairperson’s comment violates the constitutional rights of the children and it disrespects the commission’s mandate.”
Kanoongo sought a compliance report over the commission’s notice within the next three days.
Meanwhile speaking to the media, the UPMEB chairman said that he stood by the Board’s decision reiterating that there would not be a differentiation among the children on the basis of their religious faith.
“If NCPCR head has any evidence of forced religious conversion of any student or forceful admission of non-Muslim students in madrassa, then he must share input and lodge FIR,” Javed said while raising his objection on the NCPCR’s notice.
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Delhi wakes up to thick smog, air quality index dips to ‘severe’
By ANI
NEW DELHI: Delhiites woke up on Thursday to a thick envelope of smog as air quality in the national capital and in adjoining regions, dipped into severe category again.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital at 8 am was at 364 (in the ‘Very Poor’ category) and at 7 am the recorded AQI stood at 408 (‘Severe’). Unfavorable meteorological conditions with slower wind speed and sudden spike in farm fire incidents are attributed to the dip in air quality.
An AQI between 401 and 500 is categorized as severe.
Noida, which is part of the national capital region, slipped to an AQI of 393, in the ‘very poor’ category, while Gurugram’s AQI stood at 318 and continued to remain in the ‘very poor category, as per data released by SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research) India.
An AQI range beteen 0 to 100 is considered as good, while from 100 to 200 it is termed moderate and from 200 to 300 it is poor. AQI ranging from 300 to 400 it is said to be very poor.
North Delhi Air Quality recorded the poorest as almost all the stations in the region displayed AQI above 400.
Most of the stations in the capital have an AQI above 300 with the exceptions of a few like Mandir Marg in central Delhi.
According to data by SAFAR, Dhirpur in Model Town plunged to an AQI of 457-a level at which even healthy people can fall ill.
The AQI near IGI Airport (T3) also stood in the ‘Very Poor’ category today at 346. On Wednesday, the AQI in the area was recorded 350.
With air pollution worsening in the national capital, Delhi authorities halted all construction work and demolition activities till further orders.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has urged the Delhi government to shut schools till air quality improves.
NEW DELHI: Delhiites woke up on Thursday to a thick envelope of smog as air quality in the national capital and in adjoining regions, dipped into severe category again.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital at 8 am was at 364 (in the ‘Very Poor’ category) and at 7 am the recorded AQI stood at 408 (‘Severe’). Unfavorable meteorological conditions with slower wind speed and sudden spike in farm fire incidents are attributed to the dip in air quality.
An AQI between 401 and 500 is categorized as severe.
Noida, which is part of the national capital region, slipped to an AQI of 393, in the ‘very poor’ category, while Gurugram’s AQI stood at 318 and continued to remain in the ‘very poor category, as per data released by SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research) India.
An AQI range beteen 0 to 100 is considered as good, while from 100 to 200 it is termed moderate and from 200 to 300 it is poor. AQI ranging from 300 to 400 it is said to be very poor.
North Delhi Air Quality recorded the poorest as almost all the stations in the region displayed AQI above 400.
Most of the stations in the capital have an AQI above 300 with the exceptions of a few like Mandir Marg in central Delhi.
According to data by SAFAR, Dhirpur in Model Town plunged to an AQI of 457-a level at which even healthy people can fall ill.
The AQI near IGI Airport (T3) also stood in the ‘Very Poor’ category today at 346. On Wednesday, the AQI in the area was recorded 350.
With air pollution worsening in the national capital, Delhi authorities halted all construction work and demolition activities till further orders.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has urged the Delhi government to shut schools till air quality improves.
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Nearly 51,000 child abuse complaints reach NCPCR in last five years
By IANS
NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), a statutory body to protect, promote and defend child rights in the country, has received 50,857 complaints during the last five years, from 2016-17 to 2020-21.
Government data showed that a maximum number of 9,572 complaints were received from Madhya Pradesh followed by 5,340 complaints from Uttar Pradesh. States like Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh also reported a large number of complaints — 4,276; 3,205 and 4,685 respectively — to the NCPCR in the last five years.
The Commission inquires into complaints and takes suo moto cognizance of cases of violation or deprivation of child rights, inspection of child care institutions, examines factors inhibiting enjoyment of child rights, reviews existing laws and policies for children, promotes public awareness and makes inquiries into matters relating to deprivation of child rights. It has powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
For instance, taking cognizance of the alleged “auctioning” of girls in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara, NCPCR chairman P Kanoongo on Friday said that the matter would be investigated and the child rights body would ensure that the nexus is broken and the accused are punished. A NCPCR team will visit Bhilwara on November 7 and meet the families affected by trafficking to investigate the matter.
“We want every case related to children to be reported. For this, recently we have held a field-wise meeting of the Juvenile Police Units and the officers attached to them in the districts of all the states and tried to know the problem. In this, there has been a discussion regarding appointments including police sensitivity.
“Its full report is being prepared. Apart from this, we have also discussed with lawyers and judges of POCSO Court. Its purpose is that all the stakeholders involved in providing justice to the children should find solutions to these problems. POCSO law which is an effective law, if it is implemented properly, then crimes related to children can be stopped,” said the NCPCR chairman while talking to IANS.
As per the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has taken action to provide safety and security to children against such crimes and developed a manual on the safety and security of children in School, Guidelines on Cyber Safety and security of children, Guidelines on Hostels for Residential Educational Institutions and conducting webinars on cyber safety and child sexual abuse.
According to a recent Parliament reply, the NCPCR has taken many initiatives including regional meetings on POCSO.
The Commission organised regional meetings on “POCSO: Factors hindering the implementation and aspects of assistance to victims” in different regions of the country with an objective to build a comprehensive understanding on the implementation of the POCSO Act, 2012; discuss important aspects of assistance to POCSO victims and identify deliverables for NCPCRs/State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCRs).
However, in a recent report, a parliamentary standing committee observed that there is a need for proactive advocacy and action on the part of the NCPCR to highlight child right issues. “The Committee is of the view that there is a need for proactive advocacy and action on part of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights to highlight child rights issues.”
“Upon being informed during the deposition by the Ministry about illegal adoption rackets and the NCPCR working in that field, the Committee feels that since issues of child trafficking and abuse need close coordination with law enforcement authorities, the NCPCR should evolve a system to keep itself abreast of any such illegal adoptions, which can be taken up with the concerned stakeholders.”
NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), a statutory body to protect, promote and defend child rights in the country, has received 50,857 complaints during the last five years, from 2016-17 to 2020-21.
Government data showed that a maximum number of 9,572 complaints were received from Madhya Pradesh followed by 5,340 complaints from Uttar Pradesh. States like Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh also reported a large number of complaints — 4,276; 3,205 and 4,685 respectively — to the NCPCR in the last five years.
The Commission inquires into complaints and takes suo moto cognizance of cases of violation or deprivation of child rights, inspection of child care institutions, examines factors inhibiting enjoyment of child rights, reviews existing laws and policies for children, promotes public awareness and makes inquiries into matters relating to deprivation of child rights. It has powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
For instance, taking cognizance of the alleged “auctioning” of girls in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara, NCPCR chairman P Kanoongo on Friday said that the matter would be investigated and the child rights body would ensure that the nexus is broken and the accused are punished. A NCPCR team will visit Bhilwara on November 7 and meet the families affected by trafficking to investigate the matter.
“We want every case related to children to be reported. For this, recently we have held a field-wise meeting of the Juvenile Police Units and the officers attached to them in the districts of all the states and tried to know the problem. In this, there has been a discussion regarding appointments including police sensitivity.
“Its full report is being prepared. Apart from this, we have also discussed with lawyers and judges of POCSO Court. Its purpose is that all the stakeholders involved in providing justice to the children should find solutions to these problems. POCSO law which is an effective law, if it is implemented properly, then crimes related to children can be stopped,” said the NCPCR chairman while talking to IANS.
As per the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has taken action to provide safety and security to children against such crimes and developed a manual on the safety and security of children in School, Guidelines on Cyber Safety and security of children, Guidelines on Hostels for Residential Educational Institutions and conducting webinars on cyber safety and child sexual abuse.
According to a recent Parliament reply, the NCPCR has taken many initiatives including regional meetings on POCSO.
The Commission organised regional meetings on “POCSO: Factors hindering the implementation and aspects of assistance to victims” in different regions of the country with an objective to build a comprehensive understanding on the implementation of the POCSO Act, 2012; discuss important aspects of assistance to POCSO victims and identify deliverables for NCPCRs/State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCRs).
However, in a recent report, a parliamentary standing committee observed that there is a need for proactive advocacy and action on the part of the NCPCR to highlight child right issues. “The Committee is of the view that there is a need for proactive advocacy and action on part of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights to highlight child rights issues.”
“Upon being informed during the deposition by the Ministry about illegal adoption rackets and the NCPCR working in that field, the Committee feels that since issues of child trafficking and abuse need close coordination with law enforcement authorities, the NCPCR should evolve a system to keep itself abreast of any such illegal adoptions, which can be taken up with the concerned stakeholders.”
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NCPCR seeks legal action against AAP Gujarat for inducting minor as party worker
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The NCPCR on Thursday sought legal action against the Aam Aadmi Party for allegedly recruiting an 11-year-old boy as a worker of their party.
In a letter to Gujarat DGP, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) said it has been alleged that Gopal Italia, President of Aam Aadmi Party, Gujarat Unit, and Isudan Gadhvi, a leader of Aam Aadmi Party, Gujarat, used a minor boy for political gain.
“It is mentioned in the complaint that the minor has been recruited as a worker in the said political party and is being used for protests and child labour for political gains. It is further mentioned in the complaint that the minor has been used by the party to further influence other people to join the party,” the child rights body said.
It said that the complainant has also provided various social media links of AAP’s official handles with content posted by the minor along with his complaint, proving the contents of the complaint.
The Commission said that in employing a minor, the party violated certain provisions under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, and Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
“The Commission thereby requests your good offices to look into the matter and have a thorough inquiry of the events and take necessary legal action.”
“An Action Taken Report may be submitted to the Commission within 3 days of receipt of this letter,” it said.
NEW DELHI: The NCPCR on Thursday sought legal action against the Aam Aadmi Party for allegedly recruiting an 11-year-old boy as a worker of their party.
In a letter to Gujarat DGP, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) said it has been alleged that Gopal Italia, President of Aam Aadmi Party, Gujarat Unit, and Isudan Gadhvi, a leader of Aam Aadmi Party, Gujarat, used a minor boy for political gain.
“It is mentioned in the complaint that the minor has been recruited as a worker in the said political party and is being used for protests and child labour for political gains. It is further mentioned in the complaint that the minor has been used by the party to further influence other people to join the party,” the child rights body said.
It said that the complainant has also provided various social media links of AAP’s official handles with content posted by the minor along with his complaint, proving the contents of the complaint.
The Commission said that in employing a minor, the party violated certain provisions under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, and Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
“The Commission thereby requests your good offices to look into the matter and have a thorough inquiry of the events and take necessary legal action.”
“An Action Taken Report may be submitted to the Commission within 3 days of receipt of this letter,” it said.
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NCPCR draft rules ring-fence child artists against abuse
Express News Service
NEW DELHI: Enrolling child artists with the district magistrates, a disclaimer specifying measures against abuse during shoots, timely wages, no disruption of studies and safe working conditions – these are among the provisions of draft regulatory guidelines prepared by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) for the entertainment industry.
The rights body, which has described children engaged in the entertainment industry as child labour, has also included penalties and punishments if the producer, parents or legal guardians are found violating child labour rules.
The penalties include imprisonment for a term not less than six months but which may extend to two years, or with a fine which shall not be less than Rs 20,000, which may extend to Rs 50,000, or with both. The infringement shall also be considered a cognizable offence as per Section 14 and Section 14A of the Child and Adolescent Labour Act, 1986.
One of the most important proposals is that all child artistes, including singers and sportspersons, should be registered with the district magistrate and that there should be periodic inspections under Section 17 of the 1986 Act. It also said that the DM shall, if required, instruct the District Child Protection Unit to conduct an inspection of the workplace, and issue a permit to the producer, which will be valid for six months.
“In the absence of a monitoring mechanism, the children in the industry are at grave risk of exploitation because they lack the legal right to the earnings they generate, or safe working conditions and adequate protections via labour laws,” said NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo.
The guidelines mention in detail the content and the role of the child so that he/she does not feel embarrassed or distressed. The other provisions include that a child should not be shown as taking alcohol, smoking or using any other substance. They should not be engaged in a situation involving nudity.
Guidelines mandate
Registration of child artists with DM
Producer to ensure a safe environment
No disruption of studies
Timely payment of wages
Disclaimer that child rights rules have been followed during production
Children will be provided adequate nutritious food
Child artists will not share dressing room with adults, especially opposite sex
Production team will submit a medical fitness certification & police verification
Parent/guardian must be present
If a child below the age of six is involved then a registered nurse or midwife should be present at all times
Minor, especially below six years, shall not be exposed to harmful lighting, irritating or contaminated cosmetics
Recreational material, rest facilities shall be available on the production set -
18,000 poor children denied admission in Delhi private schools: Child Rights Panel
Express News Service
NEW DELHI: Highlighting that in the past two years, around 18,000 children under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category have not been provided admission to private schools in the national capital, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has directed the Delhi government to take immediate legal action to ensure uninterrupted education of the concerned children.
In a letter to Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, the commission said that they had received various complaints regarding the denial of admission to children belonging to the EWS category by private Delhi schools. This was done despite the children being selected in the lottery system under the RTE Act, 2009.
Taking cognizance of the complaints about the delay in admission, the commission summoned the dealing officer from the Directorate of Education virtually.
“During summon hearing, it has come to light that in the academic year 2021-2022 approximate seats allotted for admission of EWS category children in Delhi private schools were 40,000 wherein admission has been given to 28,000 children. Further, in the academic year 2022-2023, approximate seats allotted for admission of EWS category children in Delhi private schools were 33,000, wherein admission has been given to around 27,000 children,” said commission chairperson Priyank Kanoongo in his letter.
Only 33,000 seats have been allotted in the academic year 2022-23 as against the 40,000 seats for the academic year 2021-22; evidently, 7,000 seats are yet to be allocated for admission of EWS category children by the Directorate of Education in the current academic year. The number is substantially ghastly, Kanoongo said in his letter.
“Prima facie, in the past two years, around 18,000 children have not been provided admission in Delhi under the EWS category even after allotment by the Directorate of Education,” the letter said.
ALSO READ | Where do RTE students go when schools shut?
Stressing that fee and compulsory education is the basic constitutional right of any child, Kanoongo said immediate orders should be issued to the appropriate authorities.
He added that the commission should also be informed about the action taken within seven days of issuing the letter.
The letter also said that the commission should be apprised of any pending sub-judice matters related to the issue so that the commission can intervene and be a party in the cases.
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Prophet remarks row: Apex child rights body seeks NIA probe into use of kids in protests
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) , the apex child rights body of India, on Saturday urged governments of states that witnessed “communal protests” over remarks made by two now-sacked BJP functionaries against Prophet Mohammad to recommend a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA)into the use of children in the violence.
The use of children in last week’s violence may have been coordinated by dubious organisations, NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo alleged in a tweet in Hindi.
देश में पिछले सप्ताह हुई साम्प्रदायिक हिंसा में बच्चों का उपयोग व दंगाइयों द्वारा खुद के बचाव के लिए बच्चों को आगे करने के मामले संदिग्ध संगठनों द्वारा समन्वित संचालित हो सकते हैं,@NCPCR_ ने राज्य सरकारों से आग्रह किया है कि वे #NIA द्वारा जाँच हेतु केंद्र सरकार को अनुशंसा करें।
— प्रियंक कानूनगो Priyank Kanoongo (@KanoongoPriyank) June 18, 2022
The NCPCR has urged the state governments to recommend to the Centre a probe by the NIA into the matter, he said.ALSO READ | Prophet remarks row: Slap NSA against Muslim clerics provoking violence, demands Bajrang Dal
On June 10, protests erupted in several parts of the country, including outside Delhi’s Jama Masjid, with hundreds of people demanding the arrest of now-suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the party’s former Delhi unit media chief Naveen Jindal over their controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammad.
Earlier, Kanpur witnessed communal violence over the issue which left at least 40 people, including 20 police personnel, injured.
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NCPCR seeks action against Kunal Kamra for posting ‘doctored’ video of boy singing for PM Narendra Modi
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The apex child rights body NCPCR has sought action against comedian Kunal Kamra for tweeting a “doctored” video of a boy singing a patriotic song in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The NCPCR also sought immediate removal of the video.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), in a letter to Twitter’s grievance officer, said a complaint was received by it regarding Kamra tweeting the “doctored” video of a minor singing a patriotic song to further his own political agendas.
“The Commission has taken cognizance of the complaint and is of the view that using minors for propagating political ideologies is a violation of the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Further, the Commission is apprehensive that using children for such promotional purposes is harmful and detrimental to their mental well-being,” it said.
Therefore, the Commission said, the video should be taken off the platform immediately and appropriate action should be taken against the official account of Kamra for posting such content.
Kamra had shared the purported video of Modi’s interaction in Germany with the child but he replaced the song that the boy sang — ‘Hey Janmabhoomi Bharat’ — with “Mehengayi daayan khaaye jaat hain”.
The father of the boy has lashed out at Kamra, saying “keep the poor boy out of your filthy politics and try to work on your poor jokes.”
Reacting, Kamra said the video is in the public domain posted by a news organisation.
“The joke is not on your son, while you enjoy your son sing for his motherland to the most popular son, there are songs that he should listen to from people of his country also,” Kamra tweeted.
Kamra, in another tweet, said the NCPCR has sought action against him for posting a “meme”.