Karnataka Child Rights Commission Chairperson Issues Stringent Directives for Child Welfare
In a significant move to bolster child protection and development, Shashidhar Kosambe, chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR), has called for the rigorous enforcement of government-mandated rights, rules, and facilities. He emphasized this during a progress review meeting held at Rajatadri in Manipal, Udupi district, which focused on the implementation of key legislations including the Right to Education (RTE) Act, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, and Juvenile Justice Act.
Urgent Aadhaar Seeding Mandate for Over 1.5 Lakh Children
Kosambe revealed that there are 1,59,731 children in the district from Classes 1 to 10. He issued a strict directive that every child must have Aadhaar seeding and mapping completed within the next 30 days. Officials from various departments at the district and taluk levels were warned that failure to comply would result in a report being submitted to the government, recommending appropriate action against those responsible.
Ensuring Free and Nutritious Hospital Meals for In-Patients
The chairperson highlighted discrepancies in the provision of free food to in-patients at government hospitals. He stated that patients should receive a comprehensive meal including rice, sambar, chapati, egg, and banana. However, it was noted that only some items are being provided in certain facilities. Kosambe directed the District Commissioner to investigate this matter thoroughly and ensure full compliance. Additionally, he called for a review of doctors' functioning in these hospitals to confirm they are adhering to established rules and duties.
Crackdown on Scanning Centers and Promotion of Child-Friendly Initiatives
With over 76 scanning centers operating in the district, Kosambe mandated that each must strictly follow the government's Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act. He ordered a continuous inspection campaign over the next two weeks, requiring a report on proper record maintenance to be submitted to the commission. To further protect children's rights, he advocated for a child-friendly gram panchayat campaign in every panchayat, urging accurate data maintenance on vulnerable groups such as single-parent children, orphans, school dropouts, and those missed in vaccination drives, with support extended accordingly.
Enhanced Safety Measures in Residential Schools and Hostels
Kosambe stressed that all departments managing residential schools and hostels must prioritize the protection of children's rights. He mandated the installation of CCTV cameras in all hostels across the district. The health department is to conduct regular health check-ups for students, while awareness programs on issues like drug abuse and cybercrime should be organized for hostel inmates. Officials from the transport department were also instructed to develop a child-friendly system to ensure safety during commutes.
Addressing Disabilities and Helpline Compliance
The chairperson noted that out of 1,481 children with disabilities in the district, 575 have yet to receive Unique Disability ID (UDID) cards, calling for urgent action to address this gap. Commission member Dr. Thippeswamy KT pointed out a compliance issue, revealing that during a visit, the child helpline number was not displayed in the office of the child development project officer at Brahmavar taluk, despite a circular making it mandatory in all government offices. This underscores the need for stricter adherence to directives aimed at safeguarding children's welfare across Karnataka.
