The National Commission for Protection of Children’s Rights (NCPCR) on Monday told the Supreme Court that as many as 3,621 children were orphaned, 274 were abandoned and 26,176 lost either parent since April 1, 2020 and June 5, 2021, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
In an afidavit presented before the top court on Modnay, then child rights body said that it is presenting the number of children who have lost their mother or father or both parents, based upon the information uplaoded on “Bal Swaraj” portal up to June 5.
A total number of 30,701 children need protection, NCPCR said after collecting data from the state and Union Territories.
Among the states, Maharashtra recorded highest number (7,084) children under distress, which included 217 children who became orphans, 6,865 who have lost either of their parents and two were abandoned.
In Uttar Pradesh, there were 3,172 children, followed by Rajasthan with 2,482 children, who have either orphaned or lost either parent during the Covid-19 pandemic. In Madhya Pradesh, 706 children were orphaned, and 226 children were abandoned during the pandemic.
In Karnataka, 99 children were orphaned, and six were found abandoned during this period, while 555 kids lost a parent. In Delhi, five children were orphaned and 12 lost a parent amid the pandemic.
“The Commission is also concerned to note that several NGOs are seeking monetary support in the name of children impacted by Covid. However, there is no disclosure to authorities regarding actual beneficiaries, as mandated under the JJ Act, 2015,” it said in the affidavit.
“It is most humbly submitted that the states/UTs may be directed to create State Juvenile Justice Fund under Section 105 of JJ Act, 2015 and the bank account details, name of the account holder, IFSC code and other such requisite details of State Juvenile Justice Fund or any other fund created under Section 105 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015,” the NCPCR affidavit said, adding that the identity of children must not be disclosed.
