Year 2011 - March

The Karnataka Legislators’ Forum for Child Rights

The fourth meeting of the Karnataka Legislators’ Forum for Child Rights was organized by a group of legislators who took the initiative and was facilitated by Karnataka Child Rights Observatory (KCRO). The book release of “ARE THERE CHILDRN IN VIDHANA SOUDHA” was also done in the same occasion. The meeting was held for the second time in the Vidhana Soudha on 1st March 2011 with the following agenda:

Legislators present:

Mr. Shankara Murthy, Chairman of Council	Mr.Narendra Babu, MLA
Mr. Manohar Maski, MLC	Mr. Basavraj Horatti, MLC
Mr. Sudarshan, MLC	Mr.Siddhu Saudi, MLA
Mr.Ganesh Karnik, MLC

Mr. Narendra Babu while addressing the participants briefed about the agenda and pupose of the meeting. He started with the status / situation of children especially in his constituency. In continuation to the previous Legislator’s forum meeting, he mentioned that he had the aim of eliminating child labours in his constituency and expressed his endeavor also.  He recommended his view about raising awareness on Child Rights among the community through various tools and one of the main means is through audio CD’s.  While concluding he stated that Yes, “There are children in Vidhana Soudha”.

Mr.Maski said that there are several problems that are bothering the life of the children thought the state but with quite different social problems such as child marriages, malnourishment and child labour.  Mr.Maski said that there are number of programmes and plans by the Government to uphold the rights of the children, but legislators have to take the role in reviewing and monitoring the progress of the plans to see whether the planned activities are benefiting the children or not. 

Later Mr.Vasudeva Sharma, Convener, KCRO shared the experience and the journey of the process involved in making and keying the question hour analysis (2005 to 2010). Most of the child friendly legislator’s are taking initiative and coming forward to raise the issues of children pertaining to their constituencies. He stressed on availability of questions asked by the representatives in the soft version and its accessibility in the websites. So that it would help thousands of people who are involved in keying the questions and answers.

Mr.Vikas Verma, Communication Spececialist, UNICEF, Hyderabad appreciated and encouraged the unique idea of legislators forum in Karnataka. The effort made by the KCRO team members for bringing out the ideas of question hour analysis was praised. He mentioned that there is a need for legislators to work beyond this by focusing on local issues like child marriage, HIV/Aids etc. He stressed on one day specially dedicated for the discussion on Children issues in assembly (at least in a year). As there are many UN networks are already working with various states in the country, UNICEF is always ready to support and encourage the swift responses and needs of legislator’s pertaining to children concern issues. This can be proved through best practices of legislators for the betterment of the society. The approaches have to be started and linked right from Grama Panchayat level.

Mr.Lakshapathi pointed out on the situation of construction workers and their children. He drew the attention by highlighting the issue on the status of Right to Education Act -2009 and its implementation. The budget allocation and monitoring was also addressed. In continuation to the discussion Mr.Maski responded regarding the budget on Education and its allocation which was very recently announced – Twelve Thousand Crore Rupees.

Mr. Shankar Murthy, chairman, Vidhana Parishat spoke about the child marriage issues and its implementation in the State. He addressed on gender discrimination, education of girl child. The number of children out school is decreasing due to the implementation of mid-day meals in the state. He mentioned the key role to be played by the legislators for the development of the children in the state. He also mentioned there is a need for KCRO team take initiative in molding and motivating the legislators regarding child rights and the issues to be addressed at the local levels. He mentioned that the Child related issues will be discussed in this session on Friday 4^th March 2011.

Mr. Basvaraj Horatti while concluding the session requested KCRO team to act spontaneously and gather the issues pertaining to children at different districts.

Decisions and Action Points:

1. Child related issues will be discussed in this session on Friday 4^th March 2011.
2. Next meeting will be held on the Monday, March 7^th 2011 to channel the activities of the forum.
3. Agenda with the action plan for further four months has to be prepared by KCRO network by next meeting (7^th March 2011).
4. Mr.Shankar Murthy assured that one day discussion about children related issues will be negotiated and discussed with Government.
5. Periodical meetings need to be held to understand the status of children of Karnataka. KCRO and other network NGOs to help the legislators to get a clear picture on the current situation of children.
6. KCRO has to take responsibility to frame, analyze and give the probable solutions for the questions raised by the people through child friendly legislators forum- www.childfriendlylegislatorsforumkarnatak.blogspot.com
7. Two district level consultations (Raichur and Dharwad) and two constituency consultations (Bagalkot and Mahalaksmi lay-out) will be held with child representatives, Activists, NGOs, local repetitive and District Commissioner.
8. The out come of the above consultations will bHTS SPECIAL GRAMA SABH
9. e handed over to District commissioner for further follow-up.
10. By next session the forum can sit with the out comes on the situation of children in the above mentioned districts and constituencies.