NHRC takes notice of 'mortgaging' of children due to drought

Taking cognisance of reports of starvation and "mortgaging" of children due to drought in Lalitpur district, NHRC today sought response from the UP government and district authority there and also directed its own probe team to carry out an on-the-spot inquiry.
National Human Rights Commission has asked the Chief Secretary, UP Government and DM, Lalitpur to submit a detailed report into the allegations that due to severe drought in the district, a number of cases of starvation have been reported over the months and "some families have sold or mortgaged their children for a small sum of money for their survival".

They have been given four weeks submit the report, according to an NHRC statement released today.
The Commission has also directed its Director General (Investigation) to send a team for an on-the-spot probe into the "very serious" allegations and submit a report within two weeks.
NHRC took cognisance of the issue on the basis of a complaint which also carried a number of news clippings on the plight of poor people including those belonging to Saharia tribe in the district.