NHRC notice to UP, MP on plight of drought-hit

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh governments over the deplorable condition of the inhabitants of the drought-hit districts of the two states.

Taking cognizance of the issue through media reports, the commission learnt that people are forced to eat chappatis either with salt or potatoes in the drought hit areas of the two states.

"The crops of gram and pulses have failed due to no rain. There are no irrigation facilities and the crops depend only on rain. Even the schools are not functional and the students are being deprived of the mid-day meal. There is no work for the villagers under MNREGA," said an NHRC statement.

The NHRC has observed that the plight of the poor inhabitants of the drought hit areas of the two states, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights to life, equality and dignity of the people.

"Following the entire issue, the commission has issued notices to the chief secretaries of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh calling for detailed reports within four weeks," the statement added.