Over 75,000 kids in India lost either one or both parents during the COVID-19 pandemic and need care and protection, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) told the Supreme Court.
The child rights body informed that a total of 75,320 children have lost either their mother or father or both parents during the pandemic, including 247 children who were abandoned.
In an additional affidavit, NCPCR said the number of children who become orphans or lost either parent between April 1, 2020, to July 23, 2021, is based upon the information uploaded on the "Bal Swaraj" portal up to July 23.
It informed that of all the children affected due to the pandemic, those in the age group 8-13 years were the highest, at 29,886.
Elaborating on data collected from various states, the NCPCR said in Maharashtra, 13,589 children were affected, followed by Odisha where 6,562 children were affected, and Andhra Pradesh, where 6,210 children were affected.
The affidavit said: "In some cases, while examining the data, the Commission has observed that the schemes/benefits being given to the child or his/her family were inadequate and the Commission observed that there could be other government implemented schemes under which the child or his family/guardian could get benefits."
The NCPCR said it is presently in the process of examining data, which has been uploaded by the states/UTs on the Bal Swaraj portal for purpose of ensuring that all benefits for which each child is entitled are being given adequately.
"Wherever there is some discrepancy or lacunae being identified by the NCPCR, a letter is being issued to the concerned district authority to rectify the discrepancy and to ensure care and protection to the child," it said in the affidavit.
The child rights body said that it is pertinent to mention, until and unless the individual childcare plan of each child is prepared and orders of the Child Welfare Committee are passed, the clear picture regarding needs and requirements of these children are difficult to examine.
The affidavit was submitted in the suo motu case taken up by the top court in connection with spread of Covid-19 in children protection homes. The case was initiated in March 2020, and in this year, amid the second wave, the top court took note of the issue of children who became orphans during the pandemic.
It has appointed advocate Gaurav Agarwal as amicus curiae in the matter.
(With IANS inputs)
