The body, which has been saddled with responsibilities, is not only without the status of a full-fledged autonomous body, but is also short-staffed and cash-strapped.
The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) has been wallowing in darkness. The body, which has been saddled with responsibilities, is not only without the status of a full-fledged autonomous body, but is also short-staffed and cash-strapped.
In fact, the KSCPCR headquarters on Nrupathunga Road went without power for the entire month of September as it could not clear its electricity bills.
“With poor salary, no help from police in dealing with child rights abuse cases, no freedom of operation and utter neglect by the government, the commission is finding it hard to function. If the situation continues like this, the commission will be forced to shut down soon,” says a senior child rights’ activist on condition of anonymity.
The commission, which has the mandate of examining and reviewing safeguards meant for protection of child rights and recommending measures for their effective implementation, has also been tasked with monitoring the implementation of Right to Education (RTE) Act. The commission also functions as a civil court and hears petitions pertaining to violation of child rights and looks into several child-related issues, including child labour, child trafficking and health and nutrition of children.
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan has entrusted the KSCPCR with the responsibility of monitoring the implementation of the RTE Act. The commission will have to supervise about 50,000 lower primary and higher primary schools across the state. Child rights’ activist Nina Nayak is the chairperson of the commission.
The KSCPCR is now planning to approach the state government and seek the status of a full-fledged autonomous body. Members of KSCPCR say that given the huge responsibility of monitoring the proper implementation of the much debated RTE Act, the commission should have independent powers.
They point out that in the absence of the status of a full-fledged body, the KSCPCR members are working on an ad-hoc basis and get nominal fee for their work.
“The government is blind to our problems. They have only entrusted us with responsibilities, but have given us no power,” laments Vasudev Sharma, a senior member of the commission.
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