Udupi: Sexual harassment by headmaster - ZP to probe DDPI's failure


Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/SP)

Udupi, Aug 7: At its general session held here on Wednesday August 6, the zilla panchayat took a decision to investigate the role of the department of public instruction relating to the scandal concerning sexual harassment of students hy the headmaster of Shivapura government high school, Venkataramana Kalkura. The members felt that the department was either callous or indiscreet in failing to take prompt action against Kalkura after complaints and reports were received against him long back.

Zilla panchayat member, Manjunath Poojary, raised the topic at the meeting chaired by president, Uday Kotian. Poojary said that several students and their parents had complained about the misbehavior of this teacher, and based on the complaints, Karkala block education officer had sent a report to the department of public instruction about six months back. He complained that the department sat on the report without caring to initiate disciplinary action against the erring teacher.

He also pointed out that the case was hushed up even after a police complaint was filed, and efforts were made to bury the incident. He wanted the zilla panchayat to conduct a thorough probe into the reasons for the deputy director of public instruction (DDPI) delaying action against the headmaster concerned, and also if any unseen hands had played behind the department's inertia in acting upon the report. He put the blame for the recent incident entirely upon the negligence shown by the education department in shying away from taking action against the teacher.

"The department's attitude in putting off any action even after receiving incriminating report against the headmaster has indirectly acted as encouragement for the said headmaster to repeat his crimes. As such, the deputy director of public instruction should be subjected to investigation," demanded ZP member, Anant Movady.

The president, responding to the demand, promised that inquiry will be held about the delay on the part of the DDPI in taking action against the headmaster even after receiving complaints and adverse report. He also added that the probe will also cover reasons and persons which thwarted the department from taking prompt action.

Zilla panchayat chief executive officer, M Kanagavalli, said that a report will be sought from the official, and inquiry as instructed would be conducted.

The meeting stoutly resisted the decision of the state rural development minister to take away the right of drafting action plan under 13th finance plan from the zilla panchayat and entrusting the same to a workforce being created under the leadership of MLAs. Speaking on the issue, Anant Movady predicted that this will shake the very relevance of zilla panchayat's existence. He said that this decision should never be accepted, and if necessary, legal route should be resorted to fight it tooth and nail.

Zilla panchayat members, Katapady Shankar Poojary, Anant Movady etc urged for conducting survey about open tube wells in the district and stone quarries, as deputy commissioner's instructions to close them within three months have not been complied with. The president warned that officials concerned will be held responsible if the owners do not fill the open stone quarries which endanger lives of people. The official of the mines and geology department said that in case of failure of owners to follow the instructions even after serving of two notices, first information reports would be filed. /the president asked the official to furnish details of FIRs filed in the next meeting. He also said that there are 147 sand transporters registered in CRZ area, and those who do not have permits will face action.

The zilla panchayat president said that it is proposed to cover all the offices under the zilla panchayat with closed circuit TV cameras, as it will help in maintaining transparency of operations, and keep tab on the punctuality aspect of employees.

Zilla panchayat standing committee chairman, Arunkumar Padoor, deputy secretary, Pranesh Rao, chief project officer, Vijayakumar Shetty, and others were present.

 

 

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Joyson, mangalore

    Thu, Aug 07 2014

    oh this is going on everywhere. Last time i wrote a comment about what happened in night classes in our village school. In another incident in my village see what happened to 3 sisters. One man got married to eldest sister. Of course she got pregnant very soon. Later after few days the other two sisters started omitting too. then they had to reveal the truth that their brother-in-law was responsible.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Langoolacharya., Belman/Washington,DC.

    Thu, Aug 07 2014

    Bhandumaam,

    What shall we do with this guy? Buy one and get two business Suite's free...this is famous advertisement of a business Suite company here in US called Joseph A Banks...

    You need to write a poem about this..

    Joyson, you are from which Village??? Hope not Belman!!!

    Jai Hoooooooooooooooooooooooooo

    ...JH...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joyson, mangalore

    Thu, Aug 07 2014

    Dear Langool, its not too far away from Belman but i cannot reveal the name of my village. And yes lets wait for poem on this multitasking man from our famous poet Bhandumam.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mann, bangalore

    Thu, Aug 07 2014

    Very good meet and the matters discussed were of utmost importance. The Members of this ZP have shown good interest in the governance and their insistence on pursuing the pending matters shows their personal involvement on all matters.
    Other ZP\Panchayats etc should follow the interests shown by these ZP members, many things will look up and people living in them will be grateful for their good work.

    Important thing to note here is they are going to find the root cause for the delay in taking action by higher-ups.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • essell, Mangalore, India

    Thu, Aug 07 2014

    Students/Women are bold enough to complaint about reporting. The children need to be educated regarding this matter and Councillors need to be appointed in schools where children can relate their problems freely.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Thu, Aug 07 2014

    Nowa days sexual harassment on students is frequently happening, not only for students who are studying in schools even collages, govt offices, etc. Media should publish his photograph with all his misdeeds. This process must be done to all similar cases. Also the mafia should see that he does not escape the legitimate punishment he deserves.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peter, Bangalore

    Thu, Aug 07 2014

    it is not now a days happening !, it is now a days reporting frequently.
    Some 15 years back I have seen similar teachers in my school.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Udupi: Sexual harassment by headmaster - ZP to probe DDPI's failure



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.