'Need to implement Manipur State Policy for Children'
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 28 2024: Urging the state government to put into effect the Manipur State Policy for Children 2020, which has already been notified in the gazette notification; Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) chairperson Keisham Pradipkumar has cautioned of approaching the High Court if no action is taken up in this regard.

He was speaking during a one-day state level workshop on Prevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst Children and Preventive Strategies in Manipur', organised jointly by National Commission for Protection on Child Rights (NCPCR) and MCPCR with technical support by Manipur Aids Control Society (MACS), at the Loktak Hall of Manipur Press Club, here, on Saturday.

Apart from MCPCR chairperson Keisham Pradipkumar, the workshop was attended by MACS project director Haobam Rosita and Social Welfare joint director Bantee Singh Konthoujam.

Speaking at the occasion, Keisham Pradipkumar questioned what provisions for children are included under the Manipur State Control and Prevention Act, 2015 and Manipur State Policy on Sustainable Use Act, 2019 .

In 2026, the Commission sought a response from the government with regard to the Manipur State Policy for Children but no reply has been provided even after four years.

Manipur is already leading in sports and culture, and also in HIV/AIDS ranking.

As such, there is the need to guarantee the rights of the afflicted people including children.

In other states, households with afflicted people are provided two ration cards and monthly stipends, he informed.

He continued that HIV/AIDS afflicted students are covered under the reservation for socially disadvantage weaker section of the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

However, temporary measures have prevented the students from availing their rights.

An example of this is that the reservation as per the guidelines of RTE is not provided in private schools, he pointed out.

Pradipkumar then hoped that the afflicted students would be provided with monthly stipends and hostel/boarding facilities.

The Commission would soon be sitting down with the relevant departments to come up with specific recommendations, he said and appealed to the public to support the same.

Comment