New Delhi: The NHRC on Thursday issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh government over children being used for begging in Gwalior and called for a report on the matter within four weeks.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognisance of a media report which, quoting a district official in Gwalior, said 62 children - most of whom were wards of labourers - were engaged for begging on daily wages.
According to the media report, among the 62 child beggars 22 were girls. At the end of the day, they would get 10 percent of their earnings through begging and were dropped back home before their parents returned from work.
NHRC issued the notice to the Madhya Pradesh chief secretary.
"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.
