Poverty 'forces' mother to sell child in Odisha, NHRC slaps

A tragic case of a scheduled tribe woman "forced" to sell her newborn child due to penury in Odisha's Kendrapara district has prompted the National Human Rights Commission to issue a notice to the district collector.

The commission acted suo motu based on reports, brought to its notice by a human rights activist during its camp in Bhubaneswar, that the child was sold for Rs 2,000 to a neighbour of the "homeless" woman.

"Reportedly, the woman took this step due to poverty as she is deprived of benefits of the government-run schemes. She has two more children and has been deserted by her husband," an NHRC statement said.
 

The commission issued a notice to the district magistrate, Kendrapara, to submit a report within four weeks along with the steps taken or proposed to be taken for relief and rehabilitation.