As many as 3,621 children lost their parents and 274 were found abandoned during the Covid-19 pandemic, said the National Commission for Protection of Child’s Rights (NCPCR).
A total of 26,176 children lost either parent between April 1, 2020, and June 5, 2021, during the pandemic, Deccan Herald reported.
The NCPRC informed the Supreme Court that a total of 30,071 children in distress were registered on its portal ‘Bal Swaraj’ after collecting data from the States and Union Territories.
Among the states, Maharashtra recorded the highest number of 7,084 cases, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 3,172 and Rajasthan with 2,482 cases where children were either orphaned or lost one parent during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Karnataka recorded that 99 children were orphaned, and six were found abandoned during this period, while 555 kids lost single parent.
“The Commission is also concerned to note that several NGOs are seeking monetary support in the name of children impacted by Covid. However, there is no disclosure to authorities regarding actual beneficiaries. As Children in distress situations are wards of State, it is imperative for all concerned to immediately inform the statutory authority about any such child noticed by them,” it said.