The secretary in the Department of Education of the Human Resources Development Ministry has been asked to submit the requisite information by July 12.

The petition, filed by an economist-cum-social activist from Andhra Pradesh, Dr Pentapati Pullarao, sought the commission's intervention to stop what it called ``gross violation of the rights of the children all over the country''.

It said children of public schools are "herded" every year to act as "crowd for free" in such functions, including National Day celebrations, without any funds being allocated for their needs like refreshments and transport.

"It may be the visit of a VIP or a minister to a town, a conference or some felicitation function to congratulate some dignitary who went abroad... School children arereligiously rounded up and made to attend such functions," it said.

The petition demanded that every State Government formulate guidelines on the treatment meted out to children during such public functions.

"The guidelines must also be enforced when children participate in National Day functions," the petition added.

The petition said the maximum number of hours for which children should be made to be present at such functions should also be laid down in consultation with the health authorities.

About National Day functions, it said though children must participate in such celebrations to inculcate in them a spirit of patriotism and national pride, they should be taken care of during the function and at rehearsals for parades.

The petition also demanded that the kind of functions children should attend should also be laid down.

"There is no need to force children to line up for hours when dignitaries visit or attend any such function," it said.