Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP/HB)

Udupi, May 27: The expert committee on prevention of sexual violence against women and children led by Congress MLC, V S Ugrappa, held its meeting at the zilla panchayat hall at Manipal on Thursday May 26. Rather than collecting information, which was the main purpose of the meeting, the committee members seemed to be more interested in censuring the district level officials for inappropriate answers.

The meeting began an hour behind schedule. At the outset, in his introductory address, Ugrappa said that the committee has been in existence since the last one and half years. He said that the committee, which has been vested with the task of prevention of sexual violence on women and children in the state, has been conducting meetings in all the districts to study local situation and file a report. He said that the committee, which has people's representatives and people from different layers of the society as members, had visited 23 districts and submitted interim report to the government during January last. He said that the final report would be filed with the state government by June end which will have information about the discharge of duties by officials on this front and steps to be taken to prevent atrocities against women and children.

During the department-wise scrutiny, the members of the committee were incensed at the information provided by district health officer, Dr Rohini and social welfare officer, Premnath, to different questions, and therefore, took them to task. Ugrappa repeatedly warned the officials to be careful when providing replies as the committee head, who enjoys cabinet rank, has the power to write adverse report about officials.

It appeared that the committee members could not properly assimilate information provided about the sex ratio in the district and also the worrying development of negative sex ratio being witnessed in the children belonging to 0 to 6 years age group. The committee members attacked the officials verbally on these issues. Ugrappa also criticized Dr Rohini for failing to provide proper information about the number of HIV-affected people in the district and facilities being extended to them, and Premnath, who was at a loss in providing present condition of children belonging to scheduled castes and tribes. He expressed anger at not forming committees as per Vishaka guidelines. Deputy commissioner of the district, Dr Vishal, too faced ire of the committee president and members often.

Ugrappa was also dissatisfied about the details furnished by district superintendent of police, Annamalai, about the cases registered during the last ten years. When Ugrappa questioned him about formation of local grievances committee, Annamalai said that a committee with three members was formed at the district level. After he said that no committees were formed at taluk and police station levels, there were exchange of words between him and Ugrappa over the adherence to Supreme Court judgement. District deputy commissioner had to intervene to strike a truce between the two.

Committee members including former minister, Motamma, expressed displeasure at not being provided with proper vehicles, lack of arrangements and respect by officials of the department, non-provision of escorts etc.