ILNS: The Supreme Court on Friday directed district administrations of all states to take charge of children orphaned or those who have lost one parents due to COVID19. The court has directed that all their basic needs have to be met immediately. The directive also seeks nationwide data, asking all states to ensure no child goes hungry.
The bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and Aniruddha Bose laid stress on children in rehabilitation homes.
Advocate Gaurav Agarwal: “The NCPR’s SOP has been filed. It reads that if the child has lost both parents due to Covid then the government will provide them with rehabilitation. Three kinds of children are the subject matter. 1) children who have lost both the parents, 2) children who have lost the bread earning parent, and 3) responsibility of foster care parents.
The bench said: The Amicus Curie have filed IA seeking direction in respect of the children who have been affected by the Covid pandemic by losing parents. It has been brought to our knowledge that a large number of children have become orphans due to this pandemic. The Union of India has already issued notice to the concerned authorities to take steps for the welfare of children who have lost their parents.
“There is an obligation on the part of the authorities to ensure the children in need have to be taken care of by the following steps. We have been informed by the Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati that the authorities have been asked to upload the information about the children who have lost their parents, the court said. “After hearing the Amicus, the ASG and State consel, we direct the latest information about children who have lost their parents and steps taken to carter their basic needs shall be filed latest by Monday.
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“The Amicus is requested to prepare a note on the affidavit submitted by the state. We direct the district authorities to take immediate care of the children who have lost their parents and to provide them with the basic needs. The governments should understand the agony of the children who are at the street and require help,” the court concluded