Friends,
The Government of India has always been protective of its statistical information but the latest development is disturbing.
While there have been fears of trafficking through unlawful adoption of orphans , the latest injunction from the National Commission is another way to obscure reality, in my view. It's a pity that the NCPCR has been co- opted by the government- the national Commission was set up as an independent body , a watchdog for children.
This is also another way of " shutting up" the NGOs- feel sad that the government has steadfastly clamming up civil society organisations.
Sree
NCPCR objects to states giving info on orphans to Unicef, NGOs
Synopsis
The letter further stated that the disclosure of such data about children with Unicef and further with its partner NGOs will make children vulnerable and susceptible to unlawful activities.
By KUMAR ANSHUMAN
ET Bureau
Last Updated: Jun 23, 2021, 07:13 AM I
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has written to Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh governments objecting to sharing of data on kids orphaned during Covid-19 pandemic with Unicef.
It said that such information cannot be shared with an external agency.
On May 25, the child rights panel’s chairperson, Priyank Kanoongo, wrote to UP chief secretary Rajendra Kumar Tiwari about the complaint it received about the state government sharing information on orphaned kids with Unicef state head Aftab Alam. It said that there are two government bodies—ministry of women and child development and NCPCR—that have the mandate and responsibilities for these children. The letter further stated that the disclosure of such data about children with Unicef and further with its partner NGOs will make children vulnerable and susceptible to unlawful activities.
“The commission has great apprehension about the purpose and usage of this data; besides it is not clear as to whether the UN agency has been authorised by any government authority to collect such data, and that whether it will be sharing the data with the child welfare committee or any other concerned government authority,” read the letter.
The commission expressed serious concerns about the issue and has asked the UP government intervene immediately and share an action taken report.
A similar letter was written to Iqbal Singh Bains, chief secretary, Madhya Pradesh, on May 18.
On May 2, the commission had written to the chief secretaries of all the states regarding non-governmental organisations (NGOs) putting out details of orphaned kids in the media and had instructed them to provide such information only to government authorities. The NCPCR is keeping a close watch on the data of orphaned kids being shared in social media and other platforms.
On June 14, the commission wrote to all social media platforms asking them to share the origin of posts advertising direct adoption of orphaned during the pandemic.
The letter further stated that the disclosure of such data about children with Unicef and further with its partner NGOs will make children vulnerable and susceptible to unlawful activities.
By KUMAR ANSHUMAN
ET Bureau
Last Updated: Jun 23, 2021, 07:13 AM I
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has written to Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh governments objecting to sharing of data on kids orphaned during Covid-19 pandemic with Unicef.
It said that such information cannot be shared with an external agency.
On May 25, the child rights panel’s chairperson, Priyank Kanoongo, wrote to UP chief secretary Rajendra Kumar Tiwari about the complaint it received about the state government sharing information on orphaned kids with Unicef state head Aftab Alam. It said that there are two government bodies—ministry of women and child development and NCPCR—that have the mandate and responsibilities for these children. The letter further stated that the disclosure of such data about children with Unicef and further with its partner NGOs will make children vulnerable and susceptible to unlawful activities.
“The commission has great apprehension about the purpose and usage of this data; besides it is not clear as to whether the UN agency has been authorised by any government authority to collect such data, and that whether it will be sharing the data with the child welfare committee or any other concerned government authority,” read the letter.
The commission expressed serious concerns about the issue and has asked the UP government intervene immediately and share an action taken report.
A similar letter was written to Iqbal Singh Bains, chief secretary, Madhya Pradesh, on May 18.
On May 2, the commission had written to the chief secretaries of all the states regarding non-governmental organisations (NGOs) putting out details of orphaned kids in the media and had instructed them to provide such information only to government authorities. The NCPCR is keeping a close watch on the data of orphaned kids being shared in social media and other platforms.
On June 14, the commission wrote to all social media platforms asking them to share the origin of posts advertising direct adoption of orphaned during the pandemic.
Comments
Post a Comment
If you are a member of XUNICEF, you can comment directly on a post. Or, send your comments to us at xunicef.news.views@gmail.com and we will publish them for you.