Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Feb 11: MLC V S Ugrappa on Sunday February 11 predicted that the Congress would win in all the five constituencies in Udupi district in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Ugrappa and Veena Achaiya have been appointed observers for Udupi district by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). On Sunday they interviewed aspirants and also supporters of aspirants.

Addressing a press meet here, Ugrappa said, "Congress will win in all the five constituencies of Udupi. We have candidates in all the constitituencies except in Karkala, where is healthy competition between three aspirants, which will be resolved."

"Social status, winnability, contribution to the growth of the party will be considered while choosing the candidates. The opinion we received today will be submitted to the party leaders and they will finalize the candidate list. Based on the enthusiasm shown by our party workers I can say that Congress will win in all five constituencies. At the state-level too, there is opinion favouring the Congress.

"The response our national party president Rahul Gandhi and CM Siddaramaiah received in Hyderabad-Karnataka region shows that people favour the Congress. This Assembly election is between social justice and communal forces, it is between Congress and BJP. Looking at the people's favourable response to Congress, BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah are creating false rumours," Ugrappa said.

Commenting on PM Modi’s recent rally in Bengaluru, Ugrappa said, "Modi is not the Prime Minister of BJP, he is the Prime Minister of the nation. As a PM of the nation he should be a statesman. If he knew about any corruption happening in the state government he could have complained. According to Article 356 the central government on the recommendation of the governor can dismiss the government. Modi could have done that, rather than calling state government a 'nanga nach sarkar'. Let him take the step towards resolving the water dispute."

Replying to a question on Rahul Gandhi's proposed visit to Sri Krishna Math he said, "Rahul Gandhi will visit Krishna Math depending on time and situation. Congress has never campaigned for votes on religious basis. All religions are equal for us. We are true Hindus, we follow the philosophy of Swami Vivekananda. BJP leaders are bogus Hindus. CM Siddaramaiah could not visit Sri Krishna Math due to time constraints. Very soon lord Krishna himself may call Siddaramaiah."

Speaking about the government's circular on taking control of Maths, which was retracted after uproar, he said, "It was a circular to collect the public opinion. It was not an order. Even the Supreme Court has also suggested to collect public opinion in these type of matters."

Veena Acchaiya said, "There are minor differences between some people which will be resolved. There is a favourable atmosphere for Congress in the district. We will win in all the 5 constituencies."

Janardhan Tonse, district Congress president, Shaila Puttappa and Narasimha Murthy were present in the press meet.

Review Meet

A review meet of district women and child committee was held here on Sunday February 11 at Rajathadri, Manipal, chaired by MLC and chairman of the expert committee on prevention of sexual violence against women and children V S Ugrappa. Discussions were held with district-level officers and women's organisations over cases of atrocities against women and children in the district in the last three years.

Addressing the officials, Ugrappa said, "Within one month, the final report on rape and assault on women and children will be submitted to the state government. Citizens also report to me about assaults on women and children. Even after 70 years of independence women and children are still deprived of some facilities. Internal complaint committee has to be set up where women are employed. The committee also has the responsibility to create awareness among people regarding the provisions."

Ugrappa admonished the deputy director of women and child welfare department for not distributing compensation from the government to the victims. "Under the Nirbhaya Act, victims of rape, acid attack and physical abuse are awarded compensation. According to the provisions under the Act, each victim has to be given a minimum of Rs 25,000 as compensation, but in Udupi district Rs 75,000 was awarded for seven victims. "The money you give as compensation is not from your own pockets, it is government's money. What is the use of announcing compensation if you do as you wish?" Ugrappa questioned deputy director of women and child welfare department.

To a question regarding awareness programmes organized in the district, deputy comissioner Priyanka Mary Francis said, "Women are given information regarding the provisions under the law in village meetings, and special women village meetings are also organized for the same. Workshop for police officers and departmental officials on POCSO Act are also conducted."

Ugrappa stressed on the need for holding more awareness programmes and said, "Lack of awareness and lack of knowledge about the provisions under the law are the main reasons for not awarding compensation to victims. Officials should also have knowledge of Nirbhaya Act, which may help in awarding compensation," he added.

Under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, officers must be appointed in each taluk, but in Udupi district CDPOs are also working as protection officers. From the year 2015 to 2018, 63 cases were filed under POCSO Act and in two cases the accused were punished. Social welfare department in the year 2017 had given compensation of Rs 38,22,000 to victims in 33 cases.

V S Ugrappa condemned the department for considering HIV/AIDS patients as 'special category' while providing them bus passes. He suggested to use different term for the purpose as the present term may give way for many questions like what special category signifies. He also warned that while changing the terminology their identities should not be disclosed.

Topics like adoption of children, sex ratio, compensation to the victims, sponsorship of children and many others were discussed in the meeting. Ugrappa was upset with the officials for their lack of knowledge regarding the provisions of the Nirbhaya Act.

Jyothi, president Indian Women Union, A S Chandramouli, member of committee, SP Laxman Nimbargi, police officers and other officials were present during the meeting.