IT News
Imphal, March 30
As an insignia of great concern for right to food of the children, amidst the curfew and 21 days lockdown promulgated in view of Covid-19 Pandemic, the Manipur Human Rights Commission passed a landmark directive today, which may bring a sigh of relief for thousands of children under lockdown in the state. Hearing a complaint case No.41 of 2020, The Manipur Human Rights Commission directed to the head of the concerned State Government departments namely social welfare and education department, to implement national flagship schemes namely ICPS, ICDS and Mid Day Meal schemes in line with the respected prescribed guidelines to ensure that children who are entitled under such schemes are not affected by the ongoing nationwide lockdown.
Drawing the immediate attention of the State’s Right Body the petitioner Mr. Keisam Pradipkumar, a child rights activist, submitted his petition on behalf of Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) and pursued to provide food grains, soaps, sanitary items to three category of children viz to those children who are living in different Child Care Institutions (children’s home, shelter homes, observation and special homes, place of safety, State Adoption Centres), to provide the quota of food grains of Midday Meal for a period of 21 days ( lockdown period), to those entitled children of government and aided schools across the state through home delivery system. The petitioner also requested the Commission to provide “Ready to Eat” food items to the young children enrolled under ICDS scheme, so that children are not suffered because of want of food during the 21 days nationwide lockdown imposed in view of Covid-19 pandemic. The acting Chairperson of MHRC Mr. Khaidem Mani notified three weeks times to the heads of Social Welfare and Education Department, Government of Manipur to submit their action taken report to the Commission.