The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sent notice to Madhya Pradesh government over reports of employing children for begging on daily wages in Gwalior.
The Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that according to a survey, conducted by the Gwalior district administration, 62 children were found engaged in begging.
Most of them were wards of labourers and engaged in begging by some unscrupulous elements on daily wages. At the end of the day, they used to be paid 10 per cent of their earnings through begging and dropped back home before their parents returned from work.
"The Commission has observed that the culprits who indulge in such illegal activities not only commit a crime but also violate the rights of the children," an NHRC statement said.
Accordingly, it has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Madhya Pradesh calling for a report in the matter within four weeks.
According to the media report, among the 62 child beggars, 22 were girls and all the children were less than 24 years of age. They were taken to important religious places in the city for begging as part of a racket.
