NHRC asks Arunachal compensate 88 girl students
Itanagar, July 3: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday recommended to the Arunachal Pradesh government that it pay Rs 5,000 each, as compensation, to the 88 girl students of a state school who were ordered to strip by three teachers in November last year, a statement said.
The Commission's directions have come after the reports received from the state government confirmed the incident at the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya at Papum Pare.
"Their action on minor girl students was against the basic human dignity and decency. After enquiry, the Education Department placed one teacher under suspension, while the two others were removed from the services," a NHRC statement said.
The matter was reported to police and a case registered under the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, it said, adding that while the three teachers were arrested and later on released on bail, the affected girl students had been imparted emotional and psychological counseling.
The Commission registered a case suo motu on the basis of a media report regarding the incident on December 1, 2017.
The three teachers had forced the 88 girl students to remove their clothes in front of the entire school, as punishment, when none among them confessed for having written vulgar words against the head teacher and another student.
"Stripping of the minor girls, in front of the entire school, is unethical and cruel act committed by the teachers who were their lawful custodians and protectors, at that time," the NHRC observed.
It also noted that the report from the state government indicates that the state authorities concerned failed in their responsibility to protect the right to dignity of the 88 girls for which they are vicariously liable. While the criminal proceedings initiated against the guilty teachers have been noted but the state government should also pay a sum of Rs 5,000 each as monetary relief to the 88 girl students, the apex rights panel said.
It has also asked for a compliance report along with proof of payment within four weeks.
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13 lakh litres of 'Rail Neer' supplied to train passengers daily: Government
New Delhi (PTI): Approximately 13 lakh litres of packaged drinking water -- 'Rail Neer' -- are being supplied to train passengers across the railway network daily, the government informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.
Apprising the Lower House about the Indian Railways' endeavour to provide safe and potable drinking water facilities at all stations, the government also provided zone-wise details of the water vending machines (WVMs) installed there.
"To ensure the quality of drinking water being made available at the railway stations, instructions exist for periodical checking and required corrective action to be taken.
"Regular inspection and maintenance of drinking water facilities is carried out and complaints are attended to promptly," Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while responding to a question raised by BJP MP Anup Sanjay Dhotre seeking to know the supply of drinking water at railway stations across the country
"Complaints regarding deficiency in services, including water supply, are received through various channels such as public complaints, web portals, social media, etc. These complaints are received at various levels, including the Railway Board, zonal railways, division office, etc.," Vaishnaw said.
"The complaints so received are forwarded to the concerned wings of Railways and necessary action is taken to check and address them. As receipt of such complaints and action taken thereon is a continuous and dynamic process, a centralised compendium of these is not maintained," he added.
Providing zone-wise details of water vending machines, the minister said 954 such machines have been installed across railway stations.
"The Indian Railways also provides safe and affordable packaged drinking water bottles -- Rail Neer -- approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in trains and at stations," Vaishnaw said.
"Approximately, 13 lakh litres of Rail Neer are being supplied per day to the travelling passengers in trains and at stations across the Indian Railways network," he added.
