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NEWS May, 2011 “We reject the sub-standard food provided by private contractors to our Anganwadis. Panchayats should implement the Anganwadi programme as is constitutionally mandated”
Grama Panchayat Hakottaya Andolana Grama Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana has launched a state wide campaign today to demand for an end to low quality, sub-standard food being distributed to Anganwadis of our State by the contractor of the Government of Karnataka, Christy Friedgram Industry and to reclaim the right of the Panchayats, to implement the Angawadi programme, with local social monitoring in accordance with the 73rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution. The members of our campaign, in 14 Districts of the State, namely Bangalore, Ramnagar, Dharwad, Bellary, Chikmangalur, Bagalakot, Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Tumkur, Udupi, Hasan, Gulbarga and Shimoga have made their voices heard through community action on 24th May, 2011. In some they have mobilised local resources to locally prepare food for their own children and have rejected the contractor’s supply; some parents have provided food for their own children and protests and press conferences were held in other locations. 10 Grama Panchayats in Kundapur Taluk have decided to provide locally prepared hot food to 17 Anganwadis with effect from 25th May,2011.
Click here for the Press Note
Click here for the English News Clippings
Click here for the Kannada News Clippings
NEWS February, 2011 Grama Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana opposes the move by the Karnataka Government to curb decentralisation through the Bangalore Metropolitan Regional Governance (BMRG) Bill 2011. As the Conveners of the Gramapanchayat Hakkottaya Andolana, we have been closely tracking and responding to the moves of the Karnataka State government to centralise governance at both rural and urban levels. Their latest offering is the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Governance Bill, which seeks to completely hand over the governance and planning of 8000 sq km (by merging 3 districts) to a nominated body under the authority of the Chief Minister. This Bill and another Act recently passed in Assembly (Community Participation Law), are motivated by the JNNURM conditionality, and they ensure that Karnataka will go from being one of the forerunners of democratic decentralisation to a State that has not just undermined it, but paved way for corporatisation of the State itself.
Click here for the Critique Click here for the Petition Click here for the Response to the Nagara Raj Bill
Click here for the News Clipping
NEWS January, 2011 Beedhi Vyaapariagala Hakkotaya Andolana: Campaign to reclaim
livelihood rights of street vendors of Bengaluru Since July 2010, street vendors in Bangalore have been forcibly evicted
from the streets and pavements of Shivajinagar, Jayanagar, Ulsoor and
Gandhinagar - by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP), the
police and the Muzrai Departments. This happened without any prior
notice or allocation of any alternate location for livelihood.
These evictions, they claim, are a part
of their attempt to 'clean up' the city as, according to them, the
vendors impede the flow of traffic and pedestrians and they are an
eyesore. These actions of the BBMP are not illegal and unconstitutional,
but are also contrary to the National Policy on urban Street Vendors,
2009, issued by the Government of India, which has been notified to
provide protection for the livelihood of urban street vendors.
The demand of the Beedhi Vyaaparigala Hakkottaya
Andolana (BVHA) is that the BBMP has to stop these illegal actions and
do all that is just and fair to protect the fundamental rights of the
street vendors and hawkers such as: See below for related documentation:
Public Appeal:
Do We Want Bangalore 'Shining' at the Cost of the
Poor? On January 24th, 2011, members of the BVHA peacefully reclaimed their
vending spaces in Shivajinagar for an hour, amidst police pressure.
Police made several arrests, and later released members from 'preventive
detention'. The
next day (January 25th), police launched an aggressive forced eviction
from all lanes of Shivajinagar, during which incidents of beating were
also reported. On the same day, street vendors from Halsuru also
had a sit-in to reclaim their vending spaces. Click here for a Press Release of Shivajinagar evictions.
Click here for a Press
Release of Halsuru sit-in. Memorandums: The BVHA submitted several memorandums to officials in the BBMP, the Urban Development Ministry, the State Human Rights Commission and the Karnataka Legal Services Authority.
Click here for
Memorandum submitted to the Mayor, January 20th, 2011. Protests at the
BBMP Office Click for
Pamphlets for the Protest on November 22nd, 2010:
English,
Kannada. Click here for Press Clippings of the Protest on October 21st, 2010.
Overview of the
BVHA Campaign: Click here for a Kannada presentation.
NEWS November, 2010
The Concerned fo Working Children is the member of the Karnataka Social Watch Network. As a part of the Social Watch process 2010, we have contributed our critic of the Karnataka State Draft Action Plan on Child Labor. The report of Karnataka Social Watch was released on 11th November 2010.
Click Here for Detailed Press Note.
The CWC has been running residential vocational training programmes, ensuring children go to school or do what suits an individual working child best. The NGO has been contributing to the sector for 30 years, writes Bharathi Prabhu
Click Here for the Article.
NEWS October, 2010
Protest against the eviction of Street vendors: "No intentions to to hurt the vendors or affect their livelihoods' - Mayor of Bangalore
Click Here for Press Note. Click Here for images.
NEWS September, 2010
A protest against the abuse of children By a member of the Child Welfare Committee And to demand For long over due reforms in the Juvenile Justice System
Balakrishna Masli, a member of the Child Welfare Committee for Girls, Bangalore (Urban) has been accused of molesting four girls who were in the care and protection of the Juvenile justice system of Karnataka. This incident is a very shameful reminder of the many inadequacies of the juvenile justice system that is supposedly meant to care and protect children who need it the most.
Balakrishna Masali, a practicing advocate in the high court and a magistrate in the consumer court, is presently suspended from his duties as a member of the Child Welfare Committee, a post he has held since 2007. However his acts demand a much more stringent response, by all concerned, including the judiciary. Legally he has violated the IPC (Section 354 and 509), the Juvenile Justice Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and actions against him should be commensurate with the full extent of his transgression
However, as organisations committed to children’s rights, we feel that this incident is a manifestation of severe critical problems that exist in the Juvenile Justice System, that we have repeatedly pointed out, substantiated by very disturbing case studies.
1. Absence of a comprehensive Model Rules and a code of conduct 2. Willful negligence by authorities of violations within the Juvenile Homes 3. Ineffective procedures for recruitment for JJA staff 4. Absence of legal support to children and inadequate child rights friendly practices
Unless these fundamental issues are addressed urgently, such incidents will continue to occur without check.
Press Clippings:
Deccan Herald Prajavani Indian Express Samyukta Karnataka
Juvenile Justice Reforms :- Submission to the Minister - Dept of Women and Child Welfare- Karnataka Click Here for details.
NEWS August, 2010
A fact-finding report on the situation & deaths at the Beggars’ Colony, Bangalore
Beggars do not hit headlines in the newspapers or in the media. They live, suffer and die without any public notice. While their lives are no lives, their deaths are unknown deaths. It was in the last week that the beggars’ colony came to focus for all the wrong reasons. The state which was meant to protect the beggars through cruelty and torture killed them. In this month alone, more than 100 beggars have died. And the cause is negligence, cruelty and apathy of the Officials of the state. In the midst of this tragedy what we now hear is that the state government is thinking of selling the part of the land to the builders. The aged and the helpless have rights not only to live but to live meaningfully with place to move around, a garden with greenery and recreational facilities. Citizens cannot remain spectators while life is being destroyed every day due to the utter negligence and callousness of the state. The only reason for so many deaths is because the state did not perform its sworn duty. The events in the Beggars’ Colony brought several organizations together with the sole purpose of providing solace and comfort to those who are still alive. As citizens we thought we have obligations to make the state act by presenting the facts to the public. The report that we present is by the members of the Staff and students of St. Joseph’s College, SICHREM, Indian Social Institute, Sangama, & Ananya - Global Concern,India. Other organizations, namely Vimochana, Concern for Working Children, Karnataka Kolalagiri Nivasigara Sanghatana and Women’s Voice have joined us in order to strengthen our struggle against injustice and crimes against humanity.
After several meetings and discussions we place before the public and the state of Karnataka the following demands:
One of the important characteristics of our Constitution is that it has promised justice to all citizens, especially to the weakest. The issue of the Beggars’ Colony needs to be examined in the context of justice. If the government of the day is unable to provide justice to all its citizens, it has failed in its functions. Given the fact that justice is not meted out, the least the state should offer would be care. Even that is not provided. What the state has offered to the Colony at this juncture is mere tokenism to assuage public anger and disgust. The citizens therefore at least now ask the state to make amends and give to the inmates of the Colony what is legitimately theirs by providing them the care that is in accordance with the norms of justice in the long term and the Karnataka Beggary Act with immediate effect.
Click here to read the fact-finding report on the situation & deaths at the Beggars’ Colony Magadi Road), & Isolation Ward, Indiranagar, Bangalore
Press Report Deccan Herald 27-08-10
State Government concedes Andolana’s Demand
The Gram Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana wishes to thank the Chief Minister Sri Yeddyurappa, his cabinet and the State Government of Karnataka for conceding to the Andolana’s demand that the Gazette notification [No. Gra Aa Pa/70/ Ji va Sa/2010, Bangalore, Dated 22-05-2010] removing Panchayat Presidents as signatories in the rules governing Budget and Accounts of PRI be amended to retain the President as a signatory.
We are glad that on reflection in response to the Gram Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana petition dated 19th July 2010 to Chief Minister Sri B. S. Yeddyurappa, the State Government have thought better of their move to remove Panchayat Presidents as signatories in the rules governing Budget and Accounts of PRI that the Andolana asserted, would have in “one deft diabolic and malicious stroke” brought “Gram Panchayats in Karnataka under the control of the State Government destroying the autonomy they should rightfully enjoy as a local self-governments”.
The State-wide programmes that had been planned by the Andolana in protest of the Gazette Notification will now be to welcome the revised order that reads as follows:
Govt. Order dated 29-7-2010, Order No: GAP/0: GPS: 2010: As per the authority conferred by Karnataka Raj (Grama Panchayat Budget and Accounts) Rules, 2010, the Financial Management of Grama Panchayats must be executed jointly by the President of the Grama Panchayat and the Panchayat Development Officer (PDO).
These events will also raise other issues of concern to the attention of the State Government for their consideration and positive action.
Press Reports
NEWS July, 2010
Closed Doors, Stymied Options
Yet again, the poor are left in the lurch! Over 850 government schools in Karnataka are on the brink of closure as they are supposed to be ‘non performing’. By the admission of the same government, there are ‘35,637’ children who are presently out of school in the State. In reality, this number is likely to be the tip of the ice-berg. On the one hand, thousands of children are denied their right to education and on the other, their only access to inexpensive education is shut down – how can any sane society reconcile the two?
That the fact that the schools were ‘non performing’ perhaps cannot be contested. Examples of schools without sufficient teachers, children in the middle school who have not yet been taught how to recognise the alphabet, shortage of text books, prevalence of corporal punishments abound – in both rural and urban areas of our State. However, instead of gearing up to clean up its act, the government is blatantly washing its hand off its crucial responsibility. This is totally unacceptable.
Click here to read the complete article
Critique of the draft Karnataka State Child Labour Action Plan 2010
While all right thinking individuals would welcome an initiative to help children to avoid and escape oppressive economic and social exploitation, the 2010-2017 Karnataka State Plan of Action for Child Labour (MATCH) is a damp squid. It needs to be reviewed urgently, and the funds allocated to it by the latest State budget should be meaningfully spent – this is the bare minimum we owe to our children.
This Policy and Action Plan totally ignores the realities of working children, their exposure to new and increasing modes of exploitation resulting in deprivations that are becoming increasingly acute. The implications of criminalising children’s work have not been given the serious reflection and deliberation necessary. Now working children work surreptitiously and undercover, invisible to the eye of monitoring mechanisms and with no avenues to voice their concerns; for, the moment they declare themselves working children – they are hauled away and remanded. Click here to read the complete article.
Click here to read critique of the Draft Karnataka State Child Labour Action Plan 2010
NEWS May, 2010 ‘Honourable Voter’ Campaign
The Grama Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana resolved to demand that the State Government unconditionally withdraws the order of appointment of administrators and tenders an apology for overstepping its boundaries; and that the DCs do not carry out orders that are unconstitutional. Members of the Andolana in Kundapur, Madikeri etc. began opposing the appointment of the administrators which was accompanied by a lot of coverage in the press.
The Andolana launched a strong ‘Honourable Voter’ campaign declaring that ‘My Vote is Not for Sale’ in Belur Panchayat, Kodagu District on 17th April.
The campaign highlighted the critical role for selecting the right candidates for good governance at local level and to counter the antidemocratic forces. Though the Gram Panchayats are not party based, the Andolana felt that a campaign for a clean election is called for. Besides educating and empowering voters, this campaign will be also identify ‘Consensus Candidates’ (selected by voters) who stand for good governance, fulfil a criteria set by the Andolana and adhere to the Andolana Campaign manifesto.
Click here for Report of the GP election campaign strategy 2010
Click here for Gram Panchayat Hakkotaya Andolana 2010: Gram Panchayat Elections Campaign - Chronology and Implied Impacts
Press reports
Please click
the icon, to the right of your screen for our Annual Report for the year
2009
Grama Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana Update
CWC is the State Convenor of the Grama Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana with members in 26 Districts. In the light of proposal to reintroduce the infamous Karnataka Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill 2007 in the 2009 session of the Legislature, Andolana held peaceful demonstrations and raised black flags of protest across Karnataka. It has send out a very strong message to the legislators of the state against the Governments attempts to curtail the powers of the local governments.
We worked closely with the members of the Movement - to interact with the Governor of the State, the Chief Minister, members of State Assembly, leaders of the opposition and the media to mobilise the protest against the retabling of KarnatakaPanchayati Raj Bill in the 2009 Assembly. Several MLAs and MLCs met with members of the Andolana and addressed the gathering at Bannappa Park including Sri U. T. Khadar, MLA from Ullal; Sri S. M. Anand, MLC from Hassan; Sri Meadappa, MLC from Madekeri; and Sri N. Manjunath representing Chamrajnagara and Mysore. They all pledged their commitment to decentralisation and Panchayat Raj and promised to raise the matter of the pending Karnataka Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill 2007on floor of the House and oppose its movement at all cost. The opposition party in the Assembly took a decision to pass a party Whip against its motion.
All 24 Members of the Legislative Council representing local governments decided to oppose the proposed amendment in the legislature. We worked closely with the members of the Andolana here in Bangalore to send out their letters to all members of the Assembly, to meet with senior ministers, CM, Governor, opposition leaders form both the Assembly houses to interact with media and to mobilize the protest against the tabling of Karnataka Panchayati Raj Bill in the 2009 Assembly.
A convention was held in Bangalore on 5th July against the re introduction of the bill in the assembly. More than 500 elected representatives marked their protest by joing the programme. Mr. Manishankar Ayer deputed Ms Vijaya Dharani representing the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Raj Sangatan who is the Coordinator for the Southern States to take part in the programme in Bangalore and to extend their solidarity. In her address, she referred the Andolana as a “Historic Movement”
During the meetings at the Central Level with the Mr. Joshi, Central Minister for RDPR, we were able to present GPHA and our struggles to present and the former Ministers of RDPR and senior officials.
The Convener of the Goa Bachao Andolan – who fought a similar struggle in Goa and was also successful to return the Goa Bill, said, ‘our movement has drawn inspiration from the work of the Grama Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana. All the materials you sent out, including the letter of the Governor to the State Legislature – we drew a lot from them’.
Grama Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana had organised a meeting with Sri. A.G Kodagi, the Chairperson of the 3rd Finance Commission to urge for the Implementation of the Commissions recommendations by the Government. Two of the MLC candidates from local self government constituency were also present at the meeting. They have committed themselves to put pressure on government for the implementation of the Commission. These two have been elected to the Legislature.
The members of the Movement were highly involved, motivated and also well equipped to play a central role in this process. As a result of the past contacts, coordination and our own organisational preparedness to move forward – we were able to achieve this with a relatively small group and within a short period of time
In the same spirit, the fight will continue until the Government irrevocably drops the Karnataka Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill – 2007 that subverts the rights and responsibilities of the Grama Panchayats and the Grama Sabhas.
NEWS March, 2010
BUTCHERING DEMOCRACY
At the stroke of midnight on 26th March 2010 the State Government of Karnataka staged a coup d'état and effectively took control of the 5,628 Local Governments in the State through the appointment of Administrators in a devious Machiavellian move to undermine democracy and our Constitution.
The Gram Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana puts the State Election Commission and the State Government on notice and will launch an indefinite State Wide agitation demanding the immediate announcement of Grama Panchayat Elections and will not rest until duly constitutionally elected Governments are in place in all 5,628 Gram Panchayats of Karnataka.
Chief Minister Sri Yeddyurappa and Election Commissioner Sri C.R. Chikkamath are enacting a badly scripted ‘good cop bad cop’ routine to fulfil the State Government’s intention of postponing the Gram Panchayat Elections that are already long overdue and gain political and administrative control over what should be duly elected governments.
Unlike his predecessor and former State Election Commissioner, Sri Hegde who courageously performed his duty and announced the elections in spite of State Government pressure, Sri C.R. Chikkamath, is playing into the hands of anti democracy forces and dancing to the tune of Sri Yeddyurappa and his band.
The State Election Commissioner has failed his constitutionally mandated functions by not announcing the dates for the Gram Panchayat Elections in Karnataka even though there was sufficient time and all the necessary ground work such as seeking the compliance of DCs and the process of seat reservation was complete in the entire state. Unlike in the case of the BBMP elections, the entire responsibility of announcing the date for the elections is with the SEC.
243K. of the Indian Constitution states that
(1) The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to the Panchayats shall be vested in a State Election Commission consisting of a State Election Commissioner to be appointed by the Governor.
As early as 2nd February Minister for Rural Development Mr. Jagadeesh Shettar[1] made a statement in Haveri that the “Gram Panchayat elections will take place at the scheduled time” and “he does not know why the other parties are expressing their doubts about this matter”. He also said that the District Commissioners had been directed to provide information regarding ward reservation and the election process had commenced. Yet two months down the line we are witness to a ‘drama’ that is intended to fool the public into believing that the ‘election process is in motion and going according to schedule’.
First of all there was no “difficulty in holding an election of the members of the Grama Panchayat” nor was there “any other sufficient reason whatsoever [2]” for not holding elections before the statutory term of the Panchayats ended. Neither the SEC nor the State Government has explained why the elections have not been held as per constitutional norms.
Even so,
under the principles of natural justice, the DC has to: (b) The order must be a speaking order, i.e., the DC must give in writing the reason that he finds sufficient to appoint administrators. In the absence of these, the order is liable to be struck down as violative of the principles of natural justice Further, 'any other sufficient reason' cannot be invoked by the DC to appoint administrators, if it is in furtherance of the intention of the State to postpone elections, or the failure of the SEC to perform his constitutional duty to hold the elections in time, as both these actions are in violation of the Supreme Court's clear direction in the matter in Kishensinh Tomar's case.
Finally, there is no 6 month grace period for conducting elections. Elections shall be held before the end of the 5 year term under the Constitution. 243E. of our Constitutions states that: (1) Every Panchayat, unless sooner dissolved under any law for the time being in force, shall continue for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting and no longer. (2) No amendment of any law for the time being in force shall have the effect of causing dissolution of a Panchayat at any level, which is functioning immediately before such amendment, till the expiration of its duration specified in clause (1). (3) An election to constitute a Panchayat shall be completed (a) before the expiry of its duration specified in clause (1); (b) before the expiration of a period of six months from the date of its dissolution: Provided that where the remainder of the period for which the dissolved Panchayat would have continued is less than six months, it shall not be necessary to hold any election under this clause for constituting the Panchayat for such period. (4) A Panchayat constituted upon the dissolution of a Panchayat before the expiration of its duration shall continue only for the remainder of the period for which the dissolved Panchayat would have continued under clause (1) had it not been so dissolved. In view of this attempt to slaughter democracy and Panchayat Raj in this state, the Gram Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana demands: 1. That the SEC announces the date and conducts the Gram Panchayat Election with immediate effect; 2. That the State Governments unconditionally withdraws the order of appointment of administrators and tenders an apology for overstepping its boundaries; and 3. DCs do not carry out orders that are unconstitutional.
The Gram Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana will also meet with the Honourable Governor of Karnataka and request him to seek the SEC's written explanation as to why a constitutionally independent authority has abused his position and violated the Constitution and seek his impeachment.
NEWS February, 2010 Juvenile InjusticeWhen the very systems that are meant to protect children’s rights, begin to impinge on their fundamental rights, and victimise the very children they are meant to ‘care for and protect’ blatantly disregarding accountability, its time to raise a high alert.There have been many examples in the recent past where children and young people have been subject to child rights ‘vigilantes’ and put through immense hardships and trauma. Innocent children, who have infringed NO laws and committed NO crimes are rounded up, photographed (for the NGOs report) and with no verification or background checks are handed over to the Child Welfare Committees to be 'processed' by the system. This is no different from the actions of 'Mutalik' and his band, where a 'chosen' few decide to take law into their hands and play god. Such acts should be challenged and exposed.The fundamental rights of children and young people from poor and marginalised communities are increasingly subjected to violations and examples such as those given below must be wake up calls for all those who are part of the juvenile justice system to not violate the Constitution of India, the Indian Penal Code, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and all the laws that are set out to protect the rights of children and that of every citizen of this country.We appear to be becoming increasingly a society of 'moral policeman and women' that feel they are above the law and know what is good for others. Rounding up children to meet programme targets, fill reports and 'show' statistics of child labour eradication is a farce, but for the children who are unsuspecting victims of this charade, it is a life destroying event that can maim them permanently. But our self styled 'vigilantes' pass these children off as 'collateral damage' for a greater cause. Last week, a group of 11 poor young women (above 18 years) and 4 girls (above 16 years) from Andhra reached Bengaluru to work in a garment factory. The railway police, alert to the possibility of trafficking reported this to a child helpline. But after that, until last night when they were ‘released’ – these young women and children, who committed NO crime, who were all in the age group where they have a right to be legally employed, who certainly did NOT NEED any care and protection of the JJ System, have been subjected to a series of gross violation of rights.The organisation that apprehended the girls, without doing sufficient background checks or verifications, handed them over to the Child Welfare Committee, to be put through the Justice System.There the young women and children were unlawfully confined for SEVEN Days, by the Child Welfare Committee. Nine of the girls were in the children’s home under the guise of ‘care and protection’ and six young women were confined in the Reception Center on the ‘suspicion’ of carrying out trafficking. It must be pointed out that if trafficking was suspected, an FIR had to be filled and the women had to be produced before a jurisdictional magistrate. The Child Welfare Committee has NO jurisdiction for trafficking. This unlawful confinement of the young women by the Committee for seven days is complete violation of their right.At the centre, the young women’s phones were confiscated and they and the children had not been allowed to make any contacts with the families who had no information about their whereabouts. Further, they were subjected to invasive medical examinations. They were not provided any legal advice or assistance, and had no clue about the reasons for their confinement, the procedures that were supposedly being carried out and the legal options they could pursue, in their defence.The girls had no information about the young women who they had been separated from and had not been allowed any contact with them. This was cause of further trauma to them.Immediately after their ‘rescue’, their ‘story’ was deliberately released to the media where it was insinuated that their right to seek employment was a ‘crime’ and so they had to be ‘sent back’! Several of the young women had completed their Pre-University, some of them their 10th. They had come to seek employment in the city. These media stories, also published in their State have created havoc in their communities and have serious negative long term implications on their future lives. The media also carried quotes attributed to a member of the Child Welfare Committee that dismissed what the girls said as ‘brainwashed, tutored and instigated’. This media coverage and all parties responsible for this should be penalised under the Juvenile Justice Act.The Child Welfare Committee insisted that the parents/guardians of all the young women had to come to Bangalore with documents – when there was absolutely no reason for that– but a further harassment to those families that are already extremely poor, to travel over 28 hours at their cost. When the family members arrived, instead of offering public apology to them and the children for their unlawful confinement, they were treated with scant respect, no explanations were offered to them or their children for what had transpired for seven days.At the formal Child Welfare Committee hearing, the girls and the young women were not even present, let alone given a hearing. They had NO opportunity to present their case and to be part of the decisions being taken about their lives. If this is the case when the young people involved are above the age of 16 years or adults, it is clear what would be the state of younger children. Upon their ‘release’ there was no assistance provided to the young women to pursue their jobs, no information was provided to them to assess other vocational or educational opportunities – just simply, their files were ‘closed’.All fifteen of them, totally traumatised by this experience, took a decision to return to their villages with their family members, to a district that is one of the most underdeveloped in their State, to continue their search for a livelihood. If this is a ‘success’ story of our Juvenile Justice System, we have to hang our heads in shame.
NEWS September, 2009
Sadbhavana
At a time when our State is disrupted by
communalism and intolerance, we have formed the 'Sadbhavana' to reassert
our right to secular harmony as the citizens of India. 'Sadbhavana' is a
collective of individuals and organisations united by our constitutional
commitment to respect all religions and to uphold non-violence. We
strive to create spaces for constructive dialogues within our
communities among members from different religions and ethnicities and
to strengthen their ties. The members of Sadbhavana are present in 28
Panchayats of Karnataka.
Click Here for the Press Reports
Arrested Development
As two cases of torture of children working as domestic labour in affluent homes in Mangalore and Mumbai hit the headlines, Nandana Reddy and Kavita Ratna write that bans are not the solution to child labour. Rather than policing the demand for child labour, we must address the reasons why children enter the labour market.
Click here for the complete article:
NEWS July, 2009
Children’s Impact on Governance The Right to Self Determination is the foundation of the Rights Discourse. Without it, engagement with civil society will be limited to providing protection or provisions – as determined by those who have the power to dispense them. The building blocks of meaningful children’s participation should be laid much lower down, closest to their own communities where they have sustained access to local level ‘decision makers’. Children’s coming together also enables them to find collaborative ways to address their problems. It contributes to preserve and add a new vibrancy to a culture of egalitarianism, secularism and equity. The local governments are the most appropriate place for children’s participation. On one hand they are the policy making bodies that are most accessible to children on a regular basis. On the other, they, as an elected body have to be accountable to their constituencies, which most certainly include children.
Click here for the complete Paper presented by Kavita Ratna, Director Communications, during the International Colloquium on Children and Governance, organised by HAQ: Centre for Child Rights in July 2009 Click here for the complete proceedings of the International Colloquium on Children and Governance :Holding the State Accountable.
Once bitten, Twice not shy
Grama Sabhas have been given a unique position as institutions of participatory governance under the Constitution. Article 243A defines a Grama Sabha as being a body of voters (citizens) of a village within a Panchayat. Under the constitutional pattern, Grama Sabhas provide the platform for citizens to participate in local governance beyond casting their vote and partake in decisions regarding their village and is the foundation for effective participatory self governance or Panchayat Raj.
Click here for the complete article:
Hundreds of Grama Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana Members from 15 districts gather in a protest today against the Karnataka Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill 2007
Several hundred office bearers and members of Grama Panchayat form across the state assembled at Bannappa Park, Bangalore today to welcome the statement made by Sri C. M. Udasi on the floor of the house on 24th July, 2009 in which he categorically declared that “The Ashraya scheme cannot be given to a Committee headed by legislators. It is the right of the Grama Panchayats.”
Though this gathering was originally planned as a demonstration in front of the Vidhna Soudha to demand the rights accorded to Grama Panchayats and Grama Sabhas by the 73rd Amendment and laws enacted in this regard in Karnataka, in light of the statement made by the Government, the members of the Andolana decided to invite representatives of the government, the MLAs and MLCs to meet them and express their commitment to strengthen Grama Sabhas and Grama Panchayats in the state.
Several MLAs and MLCs met with members of the Andolana and addressed the gathering at Bannappa Park including Sri U. T. Khadar, MLA from Ullal; Sri S. M. Anand, MLC from Hassan; Sri Madappa, MLC from Madekeri; and Sri N. Manjunath representing Chamrajnagara and Mysore. They all pledged their commitment to decentralisation and Panchayat Raj and promised to raise the matter of the pending Karnataka Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill 2007on floor of the House and oppose its movement at all cost.
Sri N. Manjunath who also addressed the gathering said that at a meeting of the Congress Legislative Party yesterday (26th July) under the leadership of Sri Siddaramiah a decision was taken that all the members of the Congress Party will oppose the Bill and raise the matter on the floor of the house. He also said that all 24 MLCs representing local government have decided to oppose the proposed amendment in the legislature and raise the issue either today or tomorrow. They are also planning to meet the Governor of Karnataka to express their opposition to Bill.
Other institutional members of the Andolan such as the Hunger Project represented by Smt. Sriparna G. Chaudhuri Director and Sugrama a federation of Women Panchayat Members covering 21 districts; Mahalia Samikya represented by Smt. Nirmala, the Panchayat Coordinator for the Karnataka Mahalia Samathi and Smt. Vijaya Dharani representing the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Raj Sangatan who is the Coordinator for the Southern States referred the Andolana as a “Historic Movement”
The Grama Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana, congratulated the Government of Karnataka the statement made by Sri C. M. Udasi and expressed relief that the Government has finally taken a stand as to the ‘rights’ of Grama Panchayats and that such ‘rights’ cannot be reversed and given to legislators. The Andolana assumes that this will logically extend to all housing schemes or programmes funded by the Government and entrusted to the Grama Panchayat.
In the light of this official statement in the Legislature, the Andolana presumes that the regressive Karnataka Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill 2007 that was proposed to be reintroduce in the current session of the Legislature will now be dropped and the matter of undermining the powers, authority and mandate of the Grama Panchayats in Karnataka will be laid to rest.
The Grama Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana will also examine a detailed transcript of the proceeding of the House to better understand the implications of the Government’s statement. The Andolana will also call for special Grama Sabhas in all Districts to inform the members of the Grama Sabhas of this development to which MLAs will be invited. They will also continue their interactions with MLAs in their respective constituencies so that all may be better informed of the implications of the 73rd Amendment and the Constitutional obligations as citizens and representatives of the people.
Click Here for the Press Reports
Protesting against the move of the Karnataka State Government to re-introduce the Karnataka Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2007 (L.A. Bill No.29 of 2007) in the present Assembly Session, July 2009, and weaken the role of Gram Panchayats and Gram Sabhas.
It has come to our notice that the Government in Karnataka is seriously considering the re-introduction of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2007 (L.A. Bill No.29 of 2007) in the present Assembly session.
We, the members of the Panchayat Raj Hakkottaya Andolana, are shocked and saddened that the government should consider the re-introduction of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill - 2007 despite the unanimous and wide spread opposition in 2007; by elected members of Gram and Taluk Panchayats, members of Gram Sabhas, members of the Legislative Assembly and Council, Civil Society Organisations, Concerned Intellectuals and Eminent Citizens that culminated in the Honourable Governor, Sri T.N. Chaturvedi’s refusal to sign the Bill.
With great jubilation we had received the news of the Honourable Governor’s refusal as we saw it as a strong indictment of the unconstitutional and illegal nature of the proposed amendment. The legislature got a second chance to reaffirm its commitment to our Constitution.
However, in November 2008 there was a move to bring up the Bill before the legislature and the Panchayat Raj Andolana had put the Government on notice that any actions to subvert the process of democratic decentralisation for short term benefits or vested interests will be opposed in the strongest terms and defeated. A response had been received from the Government to that notice that no such move was being considered by them.
However, now, once again, the infamous Bill is in news. It is not known if it will be presented in the same form as before as with modifications but the implications of the Bill will undoubtedly be the same as before.
Any moves to curtail the powers of the Panchayat are obviously retrogressive and run counter to the trends towards the historical process of democratic decentralisation. In this regard we hope that the Government will seriously consider the implications of the moves it is contemplating and not trade our constitutional rights (the Constitutional Rights of the Citizens of Karnataka) and the spirit of our Constitution.
We also trust that our Legislators will demonstrate their Legislative Competence and Wisdom and defeat any moves that are violative of our Constitutional rights when it will be tabled in the Karnataka Legislature and that they will protect our Constitution and the 73rd Constitutional Amendment that they have pledged to uphold on assuming office.
The members of the Panchayat Raj Hakkottaya Andolana continue to be united across party and geographical considerations to resist the passage of this amendment and it is with enhanced determination that we look ahead.
We request you to please pass on this message extensively and alert the members of all Grama Panchayats, individuals and organisations who are committed to political decentralisation. Please use every forum that you have access to, to register your protest against this move that is in total violation of the Constitution of India.
Click here for the press coverage.
NEWS June, 2009
‘Child Labour needs Humane Hands’ by Kavita Ratna is an article appeared in Deccan Herald, Panorama section Monday 15th June 09. She explores the urgent need to review the existing strategies and plans of action as well as the need to formulate a comprehensive, multi-pronged, bottom-up, decentralised and participatory approach to addressing the problem of child labour.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/8130/child-labour-issues-need-humane.html
NEWS April ,2009
Our Government and Democracy - An Overview
‘Our Government and Democracy - An Overview’ by Manjunath G. is an article appeared in 'Slum Jagatthu'. In this article he explores urgent needs to have a functioning Democratic Government.
Click Here for Our Government and Democracy - An Overview
‘Let your actions speak out your commitment to children’s rights’
Children urge the political parties of India to unequivocally express their commitment to children now and after elections, either as parties in power or as the opposition. As they gear up for the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections in the Country, the children request all the political parties to take serious note of the issues raised by them with sincerity and a sense of urgency.
Over 535 children, including representatives of working children, children from migrant communities, school going children, specially able children and elected members of the Makkala Panchayats (Children’s Councils) in the three regions of Karnataka have carried out discussions among themselves for the past two months to arrive at the key commitments they demand from all the political parties.
Representatives of children who have drafted this memorandum will be meeting the leaders of all the political parties and candidates in the coming weeks to stress their demands in their programmes. Children request all those who endorse and support the points raised by them to send messages of support and to join hands with their movement to make India truly Child Rights Friendly.
Click Here for Children's Demands.
Press Release: Pay attention to the good of the communities instead of offering personal gains to people during elections’ representatives of Bhima Sangha and other Children’s Organisations of Karnataka urge politicians.
‘Instead of offering televisions, mobile phones, low cost rice and such other personal gains to people during elections, please plan and carry out such programmes which can benefit entire communities’ these view were expressed by representatives of Bhima Sangha and Makkala Panchayat and School Children’s Organisations at a press conference in which they presented their list of demands to the political parties contesting in the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections.
Click Here for the Press Release.
Click here for Press Reports.
ANNUAL REPORT- 2007
Please click the Icon, to the right of your screen for our Annual Report for the year 2007
NEWS Dec ,2008 Celebrating International Working Children’s Day
The members of Bhima Sangha marked the International Working Children’s Day here in Bangalore. They had discussions about the issues faced by working children in today’s reality - and about the increased terrorism and violence that has a direct impact on their lives. They also celebrated their day with a theatre performance and with several songs and dances. Former members (now members of the youth association) of Bhima Sangha interacted with children and shared with them why the Kundapur Declaration is of historic significance and also about the International Movement of Working Children.
The excitement of Children's Grama Sabhas is catching on in Karnataka
When the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department issued a circular two years ago that made it mandatory for all the elected members of the Gram Panchayats conduct 'Children's Grama Sabhas' to 'listen' to their young citizens once a year and be accountable to them – it was a celebration for those of us who have been advocating for children's right to be heard for decades.
http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Dec92008/panorama20081208105525.asp
NEWS Nov ,2008
Born to Lead
Children are not just tomorrow’s citizens, but today’s as well. This message has been strongly conveyed through the Makkala Panchayat in four districts of Karnataka: Udupi, Uttara Kannadsa, Bellary and Davengere.
There are over 65,000 young leaders in the making, at 56 Gram Panchayats in Kundapur taluk alone, equipped with experiential knowledge of democratic governance, thanks to the Makkala Panchayats, a unique initiative at the national and international level.
Click Here for the Press Report
NEWS Sept ,2008
'Right to Ration Cards’
As you are aware, our organisation has been working with adults and children of migrant communities in Udupi district and Bangalore Urban district. Among the key issues that the Union of Migrant Worker are raising are ‘the Right to Voter’s Cards’, ‘Right to Ration Cards’ and ‘Right to register their Union’.
We are very happy to inform you that due to the sustained efforts of the Union, its members in Udupi District will soon access Ration Cards, which will make it possible for them to access food supplies at subsidised rates. These cards will also serve as one of the documents which will support their application for Voter Cards.
Click Here for Press Report.
Slum Habba: Celebrating the culture and struggle of slum dwellers Felicitation of Prof Hasan Mansur
We would like to extend a warm invitation to you to be part of a
day-long programme celebrating the struggle and culture of slum
dwellers. On this occasion we would also take the opportunity to
felicitate Prof. Hasan Mansoor for his contribution towards realising
human rights and the dignity of toiling masses particularly in the
slums of Karnataka. This will be held on 29th of August 08, at Town
Hall. The programme starts around 10.00AM.
Click Here for
details.
NEWS June ,2008
Press Release:
Ms. Parvathi of Namma Sabha, is a member of the Indian National Youth delegation to China
Ms. Parvathi, an active member of Namma Sabha (an association of youth, composed of artisans, crafts persons and others engaged in various occupations, founded by former members of Bhima Sangha) is selected by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports as part of this year’s Indian Youth Delegation to China. The main purpose of this programme is to show case best practices in children’s and youth’ participation and to promote mutual understanding of values and cultures among youth in order to strengthen relations between India and China. Parvathi is one of the three representatives from Karnataka in this 100 member delegation which starts its 10 day trip on 29th June 2008 from Delhi.
During this exchange programme in China, Parvathi will share her experiences as a member of Bhima Sangha, Namma Sabha and as a founding member of Makkala Panchayat with the Chinese Youth.Last year Parvathi had met the Central Minister for Panchayati Raj, Sri.Manishankar Ayier and advocated for the mainstreaming of Makkala Panchayat (Children’s Councils) in the country.
Parvathi is a former working child. As one of the founding members of Bhima Sangha, (a union of Working Children facilitated by the Concerned for working Children), Ms. Parvathi is an active campaigner for Children’s Rights and Youth Rights. Together with the members of her organisation, she is actively engaged in Youth Protagonism and advocating for children’s rights as well as civil society participation. She participated in many national and international forums related to Realising Children’s Rights, representing our State and Country. It is significant to recall at this moment that she has gone to Norway in an Exchange Programme for four months to study the Role of Youth in Progress of their Country.
Click here for Press Reports.
NEWS May ,2008 'Let your election manifestoes convey your commitment to children's rights' Children urge the political parties of Karnataka to unequivocally express their commitment to children and their rights in their election manifestoes by including the issues highlighted below. As they gear up for the forthcoming Assembly Elections in the State, the children request all the political parties to take serious note of the issues raised by them with sincerity and a sense of urgency. [ Click Here for more details] Press Release: IN SEARCH OF COMMITMENTS - AN ANALYSIS OF POLITICAL PARTY MANIFESTOS
Manifestos are a
good source of what the parties stand for and what they promise to do
if they are elected. Hence we carried out an exercise to analyse if
these manifestos are well informed and address the fundamental issues
faced by our society. Manifestos of five main political parties were
analysed by a panel of experienced citizens from various sectors. Our
attempt was to review the commitments being made to citizens and to
gauge the larger picture that is reflected in these manifestos. Click Here for the Detailed Report of Analysis Seminar on 'Secular Democracy at Risk' Various people's organisationsin Karnataka have come together in co-ordination with ANHAD, Delhi to organise a programme called 'Secular Democracy at Risk' in the wake of fast approaching elections in Karnataka. This is a two day programme including seminar and youth interaction on 3rd May at Senate Hall and cultural events on 4th May at Samsa Bayalu Ranga Mandira, Ravindra Kalakshetra. Secular democracy at risk: Eminent people from Gujarat share their experiences in their state and how BJP model of Gujarat is being transformed to other states. The sessions will be presided by Mr.Shivsundar and Prof.Hasan Mansoor. Summary translations will be done in Kannada. Mr.Ashok from Komu Souharda Vedike will share the Karnataka experiences related to spread of systematic communalism. Click here for the Press Report.
NEWS March ,2008
High
Court's decision to invalidate attempts by MLAs to take over
the selection of Anganwadi Workers Upholds States
Commitment to Democratic Decentralisation
The
Karnataka High Courts decision to strike down the attempt by
the legislators to take away the powers of Grama Panchayats with
regard to the selection of Anganwadi workers, is a major triumph
to all those who are committed to democratic decentralisation. NEWS February ,2008
20000 Amazing village kids fight the FLOODS and Win
Press Coverage in Deccan Herald dated 1st February, 2008
Through the winter of 2006, the children of the villages of Udupi District bubbled over with excitement..... These children sang, danced, made speeches .... They were eager to share ideas to improve the life in their community....
PDF Version NEWS January ,2008
Children out of school do they really count? Press Release:
The survey conducted yesterday by the Department of Education to enumerate out of school children living on the streets of Bangalore demonstrates an utter lack of commitment to children who need to be taken note of with utmost seriousness by the State. There are two major concerns in this regard. One has to do with the disorganised and disinterested manner in which the enumeration was carried out. The second and even more acute concern is the manner in which children who get 'counted' are dealt with total disregard for the actual causes that prevent children from accessing meaningful education in the first place.
Representatives of the Concerned for Working Children who accompanied some of the teams in order to bring their attention to the hundreds of children who live and work on the streets have reported that the enumeration process they witnessed made a mockery of an exercise that actually has the potential to have far reaching benefits to the most marginalised children of this city.
We urge the State to take note of the failure of this survey to provide a honest understanding related to the number of children who need high priority response of the State. The Department should take the support of Private development organisations and organise an extensive survey in the City which should form the basis for a progressive child rights centred programme for the children that ensures children are not further marginalised, but assisted to realise all their rights, including their right to appropriate and meaningful education.
In some of the locations, the census scheduled to take place between 6.pm and 10 pm began only by 7.pm and was concluded by 8.30 pm and had ‘counted' only 8-15 children! One of the enumerator said ‘what is the point of this? We had done this last year and the year before too. This time I was literally pushed out of many areas people say ‘You are here year after year what have you really done to improve the lot of our kids?' Another enumerator said ‘We know that many of the children who are on the streets are available only after 10 pm - but if we teachers have to conduct the survey then, the department will have to provide us security that gets too complicated. So we settle for this schedule and this programme, which, in all honesty, is of no use'.
NEWS December ,2007
Children speak up The Karnataka government has passed an order making it mandatory for panchayats in the state to offer children a platform to voice their concerns and problems, through special children's Gram Sabhas. By Monideepa Sahu Press Coverage in InfoChange India:
NEWS November ,2007
General Comment on Article 12 By theCommittee on the Rights of the Child
The lack of formal platforms and structures, or spaces for children's voices ..............
Children and adolescents are critical observers of their own condition and should be participants in decisions concerning themselves and their lives. These young people need to participate in finding solutions to the problems they face.
Children hold local governments accountable
The
first set of Children's Grama Sabhas - 2007
underway in Karnataka
The reports from the first set of Children's Grama Sabhas 2007 stand testimony to how a well facilitated process of Children's Grama Sabhas not only holds the local government accountable to children and ensures their commitment to children's rights, but also has a powerful impact on strengthening local governance.
Special Children's Grama Sabhas of Karnataka
At a time when the implementation of 'Children's Right to Heard' as encapsulated in the Convention of the Rights of the Child (Article 12) is being considered with utmost seriousness by international policy makers, the move by Panchayat Raj Ministry, Government of Karnataka to issue an Order ................ Invitation September ,2007
As a homage to Sri. Pattabhirama Reddy, who guided our organisation since its formation earlier as one of our founding directors, and later as our President, a Southern Regional Artist Camp was jointly organised by the Concerned for Working Children (CWC) and the Artist Forum, Udupi in August 2007.
Most of the paintings in this exhibition are outcomes of this camp held at Namma Bhoomi, CWC's Regional Resource Centre in Kundapur Taluk, Karnataka.
The paintings on display include works of Sri. S.G. Vasudev, Sri. J.M.S. Mani, Sri. Sathyapal, Sri. Ramesh Rao, Sri. Ajaya Kumar, Smt. Ponmani Thomas, Sri. Permude Mohan Kumar and Sri. Purushotham Adve. During the Camp, these renowned artists also guided the painting process of children of Namma Bhoomi and 4 paintings by children were also on display at the Exhibition held on 30th Sept 2007 at time and Space Gallery.
The entire sales proceeds from this programme was a contribution to the work of The Concerned for Working Children, a national private development organisation (www.workingchild.org).
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the artists who have wholeheartedly contributed their works of art to support our cause.
We also express our sincere thanks to Smt. Suma Ponnamma for joining us to organise this exhibition and Smt. Renu George of the Time and Space Gallery for Contemporary Art who has generously offered the space for this exhibition.
Our sincere thanks to all the patrons who graced the occasion and extended their helping hands to the under privileged children.
With best wishes
Team CWC NEWS August ,2007
Makkala Panchayats of Karnataka
Makkala panchayats in Karnataka are unique not only in the country, but in the world. Makkala Panchayats of Karnataka are unique, not only in the country, but in the entire world. My ministry is totally behind you ? and will assist in any way possible, not only to expand it to other districts of Karnataka, but also to the entire country'. Press Coverage in English Publications Aiyar Expresses concern - Deccan Herald. Press Coverage in Kannada Publications Makkala Panchayat Jarige Krama--Prajavani.
We celebrate 60 years of Independence
The time has come for all of us to redeem our pledge to democracy. On August 15, 1947, India demonstrated to the world the power of non-violence. Now, we celebrate 60 years of Independence as the largest democracy in the world. But are we really a democracy?
Gram Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana Union Minister for Panchayat Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar defended Governor T.N Chathurvedi in returning the Karnataka Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill 2006 to the State Legislature for reconsideration. Press Coverage in English Publications Studies on Panchayat Raj Deccan Herald. Oppose Bill to Curtail The Times of India. Aiyar defends Governor The Hindu. Aiyar Exhorts Women to Fight for Quotas- Indian Express. Press Coverage in Kannada Publications UGra vagi Virodisalu Iyar Kare-- Prajavani. Panchyat Raj Kaiede Horatta Agathya--Vijaya Karnataka. REPORT July ,2007
Gram Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana 5th July 2007
Report of State level Convention of Gram Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana
More than 2300 (two thousand and three hundred) representatives of Gram Panchayats from 23 of the 27 Districts of Karnataka participated in the Convention and Rally convened by the Panchayat Raj Hakkottaya Andolan 2007 on July 5th 2007 at Bangalore.
It was very heartening to see a large presence of women (about 40%) at the event. Their participation was informed and active. They demanded to be heard and represented in all sub-committees during the event and also claimed and got 50% representation in Steering Committee of the Andolan.
About 300 representatives for some districts decided to arrive a day earlier and meet with MLAs and MLCs to convince them of the folly of passing the Amendment and seek their support for the campaign.
NEWS July ,2007 Press Coverage in English Publications Threats to humankind Conviction vs convention Amendment to Panchayatraj act irks many- Asian Age Do not agree plea Sindhya plea to Governor- Deccan herald Don't mess with our affairs, MLAs told-The Hindu. Protesting against panchayat Act- Times of India. MLCs petition Governor on PR Bill -The Hindu. Governor returns Bill to legislature -The Hindu. Press Coverage in Kannada Publications Panchayat Thithupadi Hindeke padayalu Sindhiya Agraha.- Udayavani Panchayat Vevasthe Mele Maraka Prahara.- Udayavani Panchayat thithupadi Kaide Beda -Prajavani Panchayati adhikara Mottaku Sindhiya -Samyukta karnataka Aacharanyo - Athasakshiyo-Kannada Praba
RIGHTS June, 2007 Undermining the Foundations of Democracy Update
The Constitutional Rights of 5653 Grama Panchayats of Karnataka. All the Panchayats in Karnataka will remain closed on June 29 as a mark of protest against the proposed amendment to curtail the rights of the Grama Sabhas of this State. On July 5th ?Bangalore Chalo? will bring thousands of members of the Andolana to the State?s Capital to urge the legislators to take a stand against the proposed amendment to the Panchayat Raj Act. These are two of the collective actions being carried out by the Panchayati Raj Hakkottaya Andolana, a State wide campaign with a membership of over 80 Gram Panchayat Federations from 22 Districts in Karnataka State.... NEWS June, 2007 Press Coverage in English Publications Bangalore chalo - Indian Express GPs closed in protest -Deccan Herald 30th June Move to amend PR Act opposed -The Hindu Drop Panchayat Raj Bill? -The Hindu. Andolana against PR Act amendment planned - Deccan herald. Press Coverage in Kannada Publications Grama Sabhai Hakku Kasidare Kanunu Samara - Vijaya karnataka Grama Swarajyaki Grahachara -Udayavani Editorial Panchayatraj Kayede Thithupadige Virudha -Samyukta karnataka
Report June, 2007 Making Participatory Rights a Reality for Children
Don?t put us, working children, into remand homes 186 children ? comprising of working children/former working children and children affected by the Tsunami from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bengal and Orissa had invited Policy Makers from the International, National and State levels to listen to their situation analysis and recommendations
NEWS June, 2007 Press Coverage in English Publications Ban Child Labour-Deccan herald Children Demand Makkala Panchayat -The Times of India. Tsunami survivors demand livable houses.-Indian Express We worry about another Tsunami.-The Hindu Press Coverage in Kannada Publications Dhudiya Bedi yendu helabedi Bala karmikara manavi.-Samyukta Karnataka Remand Homege seresebede-Vijaya Karnataka Press Coverage in Tamil Publications New approach in solving child labour.-Denakaran.
* Undermining the Foundations of Democracy Update
Thousands of Voices - Campaign Update Since its inception, the CWC campaign against the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Amendment has picked up pace and much support. A number of protests have taken place across the state, both newspapers and journals have begun writing articles on the issue, and messages of solidarity and support from the wider community continue to be sent to CWC. Included here are further details of these developments. Striking at the Roots of Democracy Possibilities in Rural Governance A Mortal Blow to Panchayat Raj Struggle of Migrant Communities in Karnataka Today opens a new chapter in the struggle of Migrant Communities in Karnataka. Two thousand migrant workers marched to demand their rights as citizens of this district ? to the first ever convention of migrant workers in this State at Udupi District. Declaring a peaceful struggle to realise their rights, they announced the formation of the Karnataka Migrant Workers Union and unfurled their flag to display their symbol ?footprints? that visualises their long journey and their aspiration for a new world.
Press Coverage in English Publications Insearch of a living Migrant Udupi Press Coverage in Kannada Publications
* Undermining the Foundations of Democracy Undermining the Foundations of At the start of April CWC was dismayed to hear of the passing of the Karnataka Panchayati Raj Amendment 2007 in the state legislature. Such an amendment is in gross opposition to the principles of decentralised government and is an affront to the very foundations of democracy within Karnataka. This blatant disregard for the authority and mandate of the Panchayat has prompted CWC to mount a substantial campaign against the proposed Amendment and those who imposed it. Included here are documents outlining CWC's efforts over the past month. The cornerstone of which is the detailed memorandum submitted to the Governor of Karnataka outlining the severity of passing the Amendment and requesting him not to give his assent. Alongside this is a copy of the proposed Amendment Bill, CWC press releases, the initial letter to the Governor and an account of the subsequent meeting with him and reports of Panchayat protests. Amongst this material there is also a report on the progress of the Panchayat Diwas which acts as a timely reminder of the nation's political commitment to Gram Swaraj - political decentralisation. Petition Submitted to the Governor of Karnataka Panchayat Diwas: "Let us give Power to the People" Letter to the Governor of Karnataka Account of the Meeting with the Governor of Karnataka Panchayat Protests in Kundapur Messages of solidarity and support from the wider community for the stance that CWC has taken on this issue appear below and will continue to be updated.
* At the start of February CWC, alongside other relevant NGO representatives, held a progressive meeting with Iqbal Ansari, the Labour minister of Karnataka, to discuss the state's future plans for addressing child labour. In a very positive meeting the labour minister accepted that any future child labour initiative should have a clear focus on addressing the supply side of child labour and that this would only be achieved with long term plans rather than quick fixes. He further agreed that child labour programs work better, and so should seek to deal in, smaller area specific numbers; for example, panchayat level programs would be more effective for addressing child labour in rural areas. The minister is now looking at developing a new 5 year program for the state and has indicated that CWC will continue to be involved in this process. In preparation for the meeting CWC prepared a dossier of articles, reports and newspaper clippings which gives a broad overview of the issues surrounding child labour. The dossier is attached here. * Are Juvenile Homes Fit For Justice? At the end of January a group of boys escaped from the Juvenile Home for boys in Madivala. Press reports gave worrying details of a highly aggressive policy response against these boys which shocked CWC. The incident put the spotlight on Juvenile Homes and showcased the continuing failure for the Juvenile justice system to be child friendly. In response CWC organised a protest at Gandhi statue near Cubbon Park. Included here is CWC's press release concerning the situation.
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