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Time of India
19-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Child rights panel registers suo motu case on school roof collapse
Ballari: Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) has registered a suo motu case in the roof collapse that injured a student at Government Higher Primary School in Sirawar village of Ballari taluk on June 17. On a two-day visit to Ballari, the commission members questioned schoolteachers and education department officials, asking for a report. Commission representative Shashidhar Kosambe directed the officials from the education department to take legal measures against school principal, CRP and ECO (education coordinator). The school has 19 rooms, of which 9 are old, and a student sustained a serious head injury when the layer of the roof of a deteriorated room fell. The members expressed displeasure upon discovering that teachers of the school established their office in a well-maintained room while conducting classes in dilapidated spaces. Despite 790 enrolled students, only 400 were attending regularly. They recommended initiating efforts to bring back absent students. Suggestions on education & health During their visit to Ballari, the commission offered recommendations regarding education and health to the district administration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pedí tu alarma hoy y llevate Zerovision 100% GRATIS. Alarmas Verisure Ver oferta Undo Commission representatives Kosambe and Dr KT Thippeswamy advised the district administration to utilise the DMF (District Mineral Foundation) Fund effectively for improving govt schools. T he commission suggested utilising KKRDB, DMF, KMERC, and CSR grants for repairing deteriorated rooms, a suggestion which echoed later in a meeting with the district-level officials in the DC office later in the evening. Commission chairman Naganna Gowda, who chaired the meeting, also highlighted concerns about failed students being at risk of child marriage. He instructed education and welfare officials to monitor such cases. Gowda stressed that residential hostels should provide emotional support beyond basic needs, especially for rural students. He emphasised the importance of regular interaction between principals, teachers and students to build trust and address concerns. The commission will submit its findings and recommendations to the govt for improving health and education standards in the district.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Time of India
Child begging poses a challenge in Kalyana Karnataka
Ballari: In the Kalyana Karnataka region, child begging remains a persistent challenge, despite awareness initiatives and strict legislation. Official data from the State Directorate of Child Rights indicates that 340 children were found begging over past four years. Kalaburagi recorded 123 cases, while Ballari had 77, Koppal 48, Bidar 47, Raichur 39, Yadgir 5, and Vijayanagar 1. The problem encompasses toddlers, minors, and children with disabilities who solicit alms in public spaces, often under the control of organised criminal networks. Shashidhar Kosambe of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights attributes the situation to administrative shortcomings in law enforcement. Commission member Shekargouda G Ramatnal acknowledged the efforts of the District Child Protection Units (DCPU) in child rescue operations. "However, some factions view begging as a business, complicating efforts to eliminate it," he remarked. Records show a notable rise in child begging incidents from 2021-22 to 2024-25 in the region. Despite existing protective legislation, inadequate implementation and rehabilitation schemes impede sustainable solutions. Koppal district child rights protection officer Mahantaswamy Pujar highlights the issue of begging activities at religious sites, such as Hulagi, and suggests that local authorities conduct surveillance to facilitate departmental intervention. He notes the absence of a rehabilitation centre in Koppal, requiring transportation to Ballari. The 'Karnataka Prohibition of Begging Act-1975' constitutes the primary legislative tool for addressing begging and rehabilitation. Departmental officials indicate that while the social welfare department holds direct responsibility for implementing the act, it seems to focus more on hostels than on taking action regarding this issue. Section 12 of the act prohibits begging, carrying a maximum of three years' imprisonment. Authorities discourage giving alms to beggars accompanied by children and encourage reporting such instances to child welfare hotlines. The public can also report incidents via the social welfare department's helpline (94823 00400). The govt has also allocated Rs 306.2 crore from 2021-22 to 2023-24 for relief centres and committees, plus approximately Rs 10-15 crore for awareness campaigns. However, the official recognition of 340 children begging suggests that the effect of these measures was limited.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Chikkamagaluru DHO issues notices to doctors for referring patients to private scanning centres
The District Health Officer (DHO) has issued notices to two doctors at the district hospital in Chikkamagaluru seeking responses with regard to allegations of referring patients to private scanning centres and insisting them to purchase medicines from private medical shops. The DHO issued notices on Thursday following the surprise visit by members of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Shashidhar Kosambe and Thippeswamy, members of the commission, visited the hospital on Wednesday. During their visit, they interacted with the public about the services available. Many patients reportedly told the members that Puttappa and Pandurangaiah, both obstetrician-gynaecologists, referred patients to get scanning done in private centres and also insisted that they purchase medicine from private shops. The commission members questioned the necessity of referring patients to private scanning centres when a radiologist and scanning equipment were available at the district hospital. They also wondered why patients should purchase medicine outside when there was a sufficient stock in the hospital. Based on the commission's observation, the DHO has issued notices to both the doctors, asking them to give a written response within seven days. Nursing homes Similarly, the DHO has issued notices to two private nursing homes, Lakshmi Medicare on Market Road and Prashanthi Hospital at Shankarapura, for failing to follow the norms as per the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act 1994. The commission members and officers of the Health Department visited these centres on Wednesday and noticed discrepancies in displaying the rate chart, maintaining records, besides violating the norms with respect to the size of the scanning room. The scanning centres have been asked to give written responses within three days. Besides, the DHO has issued a notice to District Family Welfare Officer Shashikala M. for failing to ensure the private scanning centres follow the norms strictly.
