Don’t show kids in poor light for funds: NCPCR to NGOs

Bhubaneswar: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has issued letters to all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) asking them not to use photos, videos and any such material that showcases vulnerable children in deplorable condition in order to seek funding.
NCPCR member secretary Rupali Banerjee Singh in the letter said the commission has received a complaint that various NGOs are seeking both domestic and international funding through advertisement which show vulnerable minor children in deplorable condition.
The commission has also come across various such advertisements and fund-raising activities by prominent NGOs and organisations. It has observed that such activities are a violation of child rights and a contravention of the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
Recently, the Union ministry of women and child development had issued letters to secretaries of the departments, which deal with anganwadi services in the states and Union Territories, about misleading advertisements of NGOs.
“It is surprising that certain NGOs attempt to raise money from citizens of the country for the cause of addressing malnutrition which is already being vigorously pursued by the government at all levels. The ministry has taken a very serious view of the matter and strongly condemn the misleading advertisements being circulated by the NGOs,” read the letter from the ministry.
The ministry said an organisation had issued advertisements seeking Rs 800 per month from the general public to tackle malnutrition of tribal children. It criticised the NGO for seeking money from the public for the purpose, where the government has already spent funds to address child malnutrition and maternal under-nutrition.
The Centre had requested the states and Union Territories to take appropriate measures to bring to light the false information being propagated by such NGOs.