The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) on Thursday initiated the issuance of Income Certificates of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) of the prevailing ethnic conflict.
The development came after MCPCR Chairperson Keisham Pradipkumar’s call on Wednesday for issuance of Low Income Certificates to the parents or guardians of the Internally Displaced Children without procedural delay.
The MCPCR chairperson informed the commission’s new initiative in a letter on Thursday stating that income certificates will be issued as and when they apply for the same. It also noted that MCPCR received complaints of hardships faced by the applicants seeking the document to attach along with various applications including sponsorship schemes for their own children.
It emphasised the role of chairpersons and deputy commissioners in facilitation of the process in the interest of the Internally Displaced Children, who are declared as CNCP.
In another letter to the deputy commissioners of all districts of the state dated March 6, the MCPCR Chairperson said that livelihood or means of earning of parents and guardians of the internally displaced children (IDP) have been lost owing to the prevailing conflict. It claimed that monthly income for them is found to be almost NIL.
It mentioned that the unprecedented conflict which erupted in the state on May 3, 2023 and continuing till date has rendered around 70,000 persons homeless, incomeless, while approximately 25,000 children are taking shelter in different relief camps with their families.
The letter also briefed on MCPCR, stating that it is a statutory body empowered by the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act (CPCR Act), 2005 to monitor the entitlement to rights and safeguard for children provided in the Constitution and laws of the country.
It further mentioned the u/s 13 1 (j) which includes to enquire into complaints and take suo motu notice of matter relating to deprivation and violation of child rights; non-implementation of laws providing for protection and development of children and non-compliance of policy decisions, guidelines or instructions aimed at mitigating hardships to and ensuring welfare of the children and to provide relief to such children.
MCPCR further informed that attachment of Lower Income Certificate is mandatory for availing benefits of any sponsorship scheme or concessional enrolment or other scholarships by the IDP children.
