The Supreme Court bench comprising of Justices L Nageswara Rao and Aniruddha Bose on Tuesday tore into the West Bengal government for furnishing fake data on the number of children orphaned in the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reportedly, the West Bengal government submitted data that there were only 27 orphans in the state. To which, Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, appearing for the National Commission for Protection of Child Right (NCPCR) termed the numbers as unrealistic, citing numbers from Maharashtra (412), Madhya Pradesh (885), Gujarat (947) and Rajasthan (781).
During the court hearing, despite the ASG’s remarks, the West Bengal counsel, Advocate Sayandeep Pahari remained adamant on the figures and stated, “I cannot understand on what basis ASG is saying that data is incorrect. We are identifying children and we have uploaded data of all those identified,”
However, the bench was not amused by the response of the counsel which appeared to sidestep the question. The Court remarked that if Counsel had given the correct numbers, it will record the statements.
“Can we record it then? We’ll record and ask Secretary to appear. You are so steadfast in saying only 27 orphans are there in such a big State. See figures of other Sates. It is not like your state did not have Covid at all. We are not prepared to believe this figure at all.” the bench remarked, according to a report by Live Law.
“Do not make irresponsible statements and do not give excuses. Understand the urgency of the situation. Orphans are left to fend for themselves. It is your duty to protect them not ours. We ensure children get their rights.”
After being given a rap on the knuckle, the West Bengal government toned down its response and stated that information was being sought of children who became orphans and the information collected will be compiled and a report submitted soon.
It is pertinent to note that NCPCR had filed an affidavit earlier through which the figures came to light. The apex court was hearing the suo moto petition for identification and rehabilitation of children who lost either or both their parents during the Covid-19 pandemic and required care and protection.
According to data available on the special portal of NCPCR called ‘Balswaraj’, from April 1 2020 to July 23, 2021, details about 6,855 orphans, 68,218 children who lost one parent, and 247 children who were abandoned during the pandemic were uploaded.
The identification of orphans becomes important as the Modi government in May this year had announced that children who have lost both parents, the surviving parent, legal guardians or adoptive parents to Covid-19 will receive financial assistance under the PM-CARES for Children’s scheme.
While the centre is doing all, it can to preserve and protect the future of the orphans, the Mamata government is looking to hide the numbers so that it could claim victory in the handling of the COVID pandemic, which otherwise was completely botched up by her administration.