Latest news with #NationalCommissionforProtectionofChildRights
The Hindu
30-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
National child rights commission orders probe into alleged DYFI disruption of mid-day meal, assault of cook at school in Kerala's Kannur
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has ordered an inquiry into allegations that Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) activists disrupted a mid-day meal at Manathana Government School, Peravoor, Kannur, Kerala, after assaulting a cook and destroying food meant for students. According to a complaint filed by M. Arya Laxmi, state joint secretary, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), during an SFI-led strike on July 10, a group led by DYFI block joint secretary Akshaya Manoj allegedly entered the school promises and assaulted cook-cum-helper Vasantha while she was preparing food under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM Poshan) scheme. The complainant alleged that the assault caused burn injuries to Ms. Vasantha and that food grains meant for children were destroyed. The complaint stated that the act was aimed at disrupting their statutory mid-day meal, thereby 'inducing hunger among children and compelling their early departure from school, impacting afternoon classes.' Ms. Arya said that such disruption violated the National Food Security Act 2013 and the Mid-Day Meal Rules 2015 which guarantee a free cooked meal to children up to Class 6 on all school working days. She observed that the alleged action undermined key objectives of the scheme. The complaint also flagged potential psychological harm to children. Ms. Arya in her complaint sought legal action against those involved. She also expressed apprehensions about a fair investigation under the Kerala government. The NCPCR has directed the District Collector to conduct an inquiry and take necessary action, with direct intimation to the complainant.
Mint
25-07-2025
- Health
- Mint
CCTVs now mandatory in pharmacies to combat drug abuse by children
New Delhi: Pharmacies and chemist shops across the nation will now be required to install CCTV cameras to strengthen efforts against drug and substance abuse by children. The new mandate is a key part of a joint action plan developed by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD). Their directive urges states and Union Territories to prevent the sale of controlled substances—specifically Schedule H, H1, and X drugs—to minors. Schedule H drugs are those that can be sold only on the prescription of a registered medical practitioner. Schedule H1 includes specific third and fourth-generation antibiotics, some habit-forming drugs, and anti-TB drugs. Schedule X drugs are those with a high potential for abuse or dependence and include amphetamines, barbiturates, and certain narcotics. The new surveillance measure targets commonly misused medications such as codeine-based cough syrups (Schedule H1) and Alprazolam tablets and Tramadol capsules, which are Schedule X drugs. This initiative comes in response to alarming statistics on substance use among minors in India. About 2 million children aged 10-17 were users of sedatives for non-medical purposes, according to the National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India conducted in 2018. The survey indicated that about 4 million children in this age group were opioid users, although a breakdown for pharmaceutical opioids was not available. The 2018 data, released by the ministry of social justice and empowerment through the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (AIIMS) remains the latest comprehensive national survey on substance use among Indian children. "It has been advised to stop, prevent and discourage the sale of dual-use medicines without a prescription," an official familiar with the matter said. "During the NCORD meeting, CCTV installation was urged at chemist or pharmacy shops across all states/UTs so that health authorities can verify records." Taking the initiative, the Delhi government's drugs control department issued directives on 22 July to chemist associations within its jurisdiction, asking them not to sell Schedule H, H1, and X drugs to minors without a prescription from a registered medical practitioner. 'Assistant Drugs Controllers/Licensing Authorities and Drugs Inspectors of the Government of NCT of Delhi are now tasked with monitoring and ensuring strict adherence to these new regulations. All Chemist Associations in Delhi have been urged to disseminate this crucial information to their members for immediate compliance,' the Delhi government said. The Retail Distribution Chemist Alliance (RDCA) has circulated the CCTV installation directive to members. However, it has sought clarifications for effective compliance about whether the mandate is a legal requirement under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act or merely an advisory. 'We also need to know if NCB guidelines directly apply to standard retail pharmacies, given their operations fall under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Furthermore, we've asked if additional record-keeping or surveillance protocols are now mandatory. To avoid confusion, the RDCA urges a clear, formal directive, preferably under the Drugs Act, if CCTV installation is compulsory,' the alliance leadership said. They emphasized their commitment to ethical practices and public health, seeking clarity for full compliance.
New Indian Express
22-07-2025
- New Indian Express
CBSE instructs all affiliated schools to install audio-visual CCTV cameras to strengthen students safety
NEW DELHI: In a bid to bolster the safety and security of students on school campuses, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has mandated the installation of high-resolution CCTV cameras with audio-visual recording at all critical locations within school premises. The new directive makes it compulsory for affiliated schools to install cameras in classrooms, corridors, libraries, staircases, and other key areas — excluding toilets and washrooms — with a minimum 15-day footage backup accessible to authorities when required. In a notification issued on Monday, CBSE announced an amendment to its Affiliation Bye Laws-2018, which governs school affiliation. The latest directive by the CBSE aims to enhance the safety and well-being of students across school campuses and protect them against ' bullying and other implicit threats', as per the education board's notice. The move aligns with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)'s 'Manual on Safety and Security of Children in Schools' released in September 2021, which stresses emotional and physical safety of students, protection from bullying, and a secure environment for their holistic development. Emphasising that children have a constitutional right to live with dignity and access education in a safe and supportive environment, CBSE secretary Himanshu Gupta said in the notification, 'The safety has two aspects- a)unscrupulous un-societal elements, b) safety for the overall well being of the children with reference to bullying and implicit threats. All of such probabilities can be prevented with the usage of the latest technology.'
New Indian Express
21-07-2025
- New Indian Express
CBSE schools mandated to install real time audio visual recording CCTV cameras
NEW DELHI: In a bid to bolster the safety and security of students on school campuses, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has mandated the installation of high-resolution CCTV cameras with audio-visual recording at all critical locations within school premises. The new directive makes it compulsory for affiliated schools to install cameras in classrooms, corridors, libraries, staircases, and other key areas — excluding toilets and washrooms — with a minimum 15-day footage backup accessible to authorities when required. In a notification issued on Monday, CBSE announced an amendment to its Affiliation Bye Laws-2018, which governs school affiliation. The latest directive by the CBSE aims to enhance the safety and well-being of students across school campuses and protect them against ' bullying and other implicit threats', as per the education board's notice. The move aligns with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)'s 'Manual on Safety and Security of Children in Schools' released in September 2021, which stresses emotional and physical safety of students, protection from bullying, and a secure environment for their holistic development.
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Private schools in Andhra Pradesh warned against turning down admissions under RTE Act
Samagra Shiksha State Project Director B. Srinivasa Rao on Saturday warned private school managements against rejecting admissions to students selected for free education under Section 12 (1) (c) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act. The provision of the Act mandates private unaided schools to set aside 25% of seats in their institutions at the entry level for students belonging to the marginalised sections of society. In a statement, Mr. Srinivasa Rao instructed the school managements to verify the documents submitted and confirm the admissions accordingly. 'Denial of admission, without any valid reason, will invite departmental action,' Mr. Srinivasa Rao cautioned, and said these admissions would be confirmed through logins specially assigned to the Additional Project Coordinators (APCs) of Samagra Shiksha at the district level. He said, in case of any queries, the school managements might contact the respective Mandal or District Education Officers, or Regional Joint Directors. Meanwhile, the deadline for completing the admissions under the Act has been extended from June 28 to July 2, 2025. Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the decision was taken in response to requests by parents and officials. Second phase of lottery In the second phase of lottery, a total of 8,583 students had been selected under the RTE quota. Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the parents, or guardians of the students who were allotted seats should visit the respective schools with relevant documents for verification and confirm the admissions by July 2. The details of selected students were sent via SMS to the registered mobile numbers of the parents. They were also available on the official website: For further information, the toll-free number 1800 425 8599 could be contacted, he said. The department initiated the RTE admission process on April 9, in alignment with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) framed by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). A State-specific SOP was also developed and communicated to all the DEOs on April 18. To ensure effective monitoring and grievance redress, District Admission Monitoring Committees (DAMCs) were constituted in all the districts. A total of 9,568 private unaided schools had registered on the RTE portal from April 19 to 30. The application window for eligible students was kept open from May 2 to 19. Out of the total 37,427 applicants, 28,561 opted for school preferences. Mr. Srinivasa Rao informed that in the first phase of lottery, 23,118 students had been allotted schools and 15,541 of them confirmed and joined their respective schools. He said since the remaining students did not confirm their joining due to various reasons, they were again considered in the second phase. Seats were allotted to 8,583 eligible students in schools located within the radius of 3 km from the residences of the beneficiaries in the second round of lottery conducted on June 20. Informing that the district-wise reports for both the phases had been prepared and shared for transparency and public reference, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the government was committed to ensuring access to quality education for every eligible child under the RTE Act.
