Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur
Puttur, Sep 26: As many as 26,463 cases of underage pregnancies have been reported in Karnataka over the last 10 months, revealed Dr Thippeswamy, member of the state commission for protection of child rights.
He was presiding over the taluk-level child protection committee meeting for Puttur and Kadaba, held at the Puttur taluk panchayat. While reviewing information from various departments, he disclosed the alarming figure. He stressed that the police, education, and health departments must jointly create awareness among children and monitor health changes through regular check-ups to prevent such incidents.
Dr Thippeswamy further advised grassroots officials to interact with children, listen to their concerns, and take the initiative seriously. He also instructed that if any electric poles in school premises are found to be in a dangerous condition, officials must promptly notify Mescom for removal, failing which action would be taken.
He directed that boards displaying the child helpline number should be installed in all government office buildings within a month. Awareness boards on issues like child marriage and violations of child rights must also be displayed in public spaces.
Raising concerns about the underperformance of the ‘Open House’ programme initiated by the government for schoolchildren, Dr Thippeswamy said that police stations should be visited by students from at least four schools every month.
He stressed that child protection committees in all gram panchayats must remain active, and inspections of school buildings, dangerous trees, and power lines should be completed before the monsoon to ensure children’s safety. The education department, he noted, holds responsibility for monitoring school buses and ensuring private schools provide a safe environment for children.
During the meeting, the shortage of staff in BCM and social welfare hostels came to light. Dr Thippeswamy expressed concern over the issue, pointing out the inconvenience it causes.
He directed the tahsildar to issue notices to department officials who were absent for the meeting. Officials who failed to provide adequate information were asked to submit a detailed report within 15 days on programmes implemented in the past year for child rights protection.
Puttur tahsildar Nagaraj, Kadaba tahsildar Prabhakar, and taluk panchayat executive officer Naveen Kumar Bhandary were present.
At the Sullia taluk-level child protection committee meeting, Dr Thippeswamy expressed strong dissatisfaction over 11 hostels in the taluk functioning without wardens. He instructed officials to write to the department secretary seeking immediate action.
He also directed the tahsildar to bring to the notice of legislators the issue of soap kits not being supplied to social welfare hostels for the last three months and ensure proper facilities. Further, he instructed that ‘Sambhrama Saturday’ activities be effectively implemented and that 5% of grants earmarked for the differently abled be utilized appropriately.
District child rights committee member Abubakkar, district child protection officer Rashmi Nekraje, tahsildar Manjula, taluk panchayat executive officer Rajanna, and officials from various departments attended the meeting. CDPO Shailaja delivered the welcome and vote of thanks.