Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)

Udupi, Mar 17: “Protection of children and their rights is the responsibility of all the concerned departments. The state children's rights act should be properly implemented in this connection,” said president of Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Dr Antony Sebastian.

He presided over the progress review meeting of POCSO Act, RTI and Children's rights act held at the district panchayat auditorium on Tuesday.

“The labour department should conduct a survey of child labour in the district. Ensure that children's rights are not violated in schools. Collect details of school dropouts and make them return to school. Display the childline telephone number in schools,” he said to the education department.

“Quickly dispose of children’s complaints received in gram sabhas. Hold meetings about children’s rights and their implementation. The departments that work for children’s rights should work in coordination and submit the statistics to the commission.

“Officials should make sure that justice is provided quickly in cases relating to children’s harassment. Make sure that child marriages are avoided. Hold training programmes for NGOs that work for children’s rights and create additional awareness."

Additional deputy commissioner Sadashiva Prabhu, senior civil judge and district legal services authority member secretary Kaveri, state children’s commission member Shankarappa, Raghavendra, Parashurama, Bharati, Ashok, various district level and taluk level officials and representatives of service organizations that work for children’s rights were present.

Women’s and children’s welfare department deputy director Sheshappa welcomed the gathering. Infant development project officer Veena rendered a vote of thanks.