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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 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.
* NEWS May, 2007 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
Migrants Meet
Press Coverage in Kannada Publications
* NEWS April, 2007 Undermining the Foundations of Democracy Undermining the Foundations of Democracy 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.
* NEWS February, 2007 Child Labour Perspectives 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. * NEWS January, 2007 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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