Child rights activists and NGOs question new appointments to KSCPCR

The appointment of new chairperson and members to the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) by the Department of Women and Child Development has been objected to by many child rights activists and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the field.

The government has appointed Santhosh Kumar from Kalaburgi as chairperson, while three people, Satya Narayan Shetty from Raichur, Jagannath Halmadagi from Bidar and Venkatesh from Mandya, have been appointed as members.

A. Manjunath, regional convenor, Dalit Sangharsha Samithi, Karnataka, has written to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to withdraw the appointments, claiming that chairperson and some members have not been actively associated with child rights institutions such as Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), Childline services, or recognised voluntary organisations working for child protection and child rights advocacy. “If the eligibility criteria prescribed by law have not been adequately considered, such appointments may adversely affect the effectiveness and credibility of the Commission,” the letter to the Governor stated.

The Federation of Dalit Organisations has also taken exception to the appointments. Its president M. Venkataswamy said they would hold a protest if the appointment is not withdrawn. “I have written to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar objecting to the appointment of unqualified candidates as members and chairperson. But there is no response,” he said.

Child rights activists have alleged lack of transparency in appointments and claimed that chairperson and two members (barring Mr. Venkatesh) have no work experience in the area of child rights. Calling it a “political” decision, they said that similar trend was seen during in appointments during earlier tenures too.

V. Susheela, Project for Spandana Association, an NGO in Belagavi, said, “As an NGO working in border district like Belagavi, we know the troubles children face including child marriage, trafficking for labour and prostitution, child abuse, POCSO cases and more. To deal with such issues, the commission must be headed by someone who has worked in the field.” She alleged that the appointed chairperson had no such ground experience.

Senior child rights activist Vasudev Sharma said that the KSCPCR was constituted under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, and as per the Act, applicants for the post of chairperson and members should have worked for 10 years in the field. “However, every time, criteria are ignored by the government,” he said.

When The Hindu reached out to Mr. Kumar, he stated, “I have worked with many NGOs in Kalaburgi district and have conducted several awareness programmes for children and teachers. I meet the eligibility criteria and I have attached documents and photographs as proof in my submission to department.” He said he was unaware of the allegations levelled.

This year, the commission had received more than 150 and 130 applications for the post of chairperson and members, respectively.