Five-year-old girl succumbs to heat; NCW writes to Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot

JAIPUR/JODHPUR: Following the death of a five-year-old girl in Jalore due to dehydration, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has written to chief minister Ashok Gehlot and chief secretary and asked the government to take action to prevent such incidents in future.
The child, Manju, along with her 60-year-old grandmother, Sukhi, was out in the scorching sun at Raniwara in Jalore district on Sunday when the thirsty girl succumbed to heat. The grandmother is recovering at the district hospital. The girl, who was abandoned by her mother following the death of her father, was being taken care of by her grandmother.
The child’s death also prompted the Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (RSCPCR) to write to the district administration to provide necessary help to the family.
Calling it a grave situation, NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma asked the government to provide medical help as well as compensation to the old woman and the minor’s family.
The women commission also sought action against officials, who failed to discharge their duties, and asked the government to take steps to prevent such incidents in the future. It also asked for feedback about the steps taken by the government and called for ensuring basic amenities for women and children.
Urging for CM’s personal intervention in the matter, the letter further said, “This unfortunate incident and painful news raises serious concerns and doubts about the failure of state government to provide even the basic necessities like water to its people. They are lying and dying on the roads asking for water in the scorching sun.”
Sukhi and Manju had left their village to see a family member in Roda village on foot on Sunday afternoon. On the way, they felt thirsty due to the scorching heat. They were not carrying water and failed to find any around as the place was uninhabited and, later, fell unconscious.
Somes shepherds spotted the two and informed the sarpanch of the village, who informed the police. Though both were rushed to the hospital, the grandmother survived while the girl was declared dead.
Jalore district collector Namrata Vrishni told TOI, “The old woman and the girl stayed alone in village in Jalore and were going to a relative’s place when the incident happened. We received a call but by the time they were taken to hospital, the girl had died. The grandmother is undergoing treatment.”
The RSCPCR letter also instructed the district administration to make adequate arrangements for water. A report of the incident as well as the measures taken by the government has to be sent to the child commission within a week’s time.
Union minister of environment, forest and climate change Prakash Javadekar called the incident shameful and held the state government responsible on social media.