‘Kalyan Kendra’ launched to redress SC-STs grievances
Bengaluru, Aug 07: If the students of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes face any problem in hostels, they can call and inform to the newly opened helpline in the Social Welfare Department. Actions will be taken to resolve them, said Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwar.
He was speaking after inaugurating the new helpline ‘Kalyan Kendra’ in Yavanika on the Nrupatunga Road in the city on Tuesday.
SC-ST students in the hostels are facing many problems. The Ministry of Social Welfare runs 25,000 hostels. If students have any issue related to food, beds, pillows, and other basic facilities; they can call or WhatsApp this helpline. Their grievances will be redressed, the Deputy Chief Minister said.
“The Kendra will be functioning 24 hours a day, and it is the first such center in the country,” he added.
There have been complaints about SC-ST issues for a long time. A lot of debate regarding these issues has been taken place in the House. The government intends to make sure that all the funds released in the budget are reaching these children and to make them financially self-sufficient.
Social Welfare Department Minister Priyank Kharge was also present.
Helpline Number 080 - 22634300 WhatsApp Number -9901100000.
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Upset over insufficient replies by govt, Speaker adjourns the Assembly, walks out
Bengaluru (PTI): Upset over the insufficient number of written replies from government departments to MLAs' questions, Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Monday adjourned the House and walked out, stating that he would not run the House until concerned ministers and secretaries provide an explanation.
The Speaker's move, considered "unprecedented" by many legislators, came after Home Minister G Parameshwara tabled 84 written replies against 230 'unstarred' questions submitted by MLAs.
Khader, on Friday, had admonished the government, stating that his "gentleness" should not be mistaken for "weakness," as he took strong exception to the government replying to only a few of the questions from MLAs.
Last week, Khader had repeatedly, though mildly, asked the government to ensure replies to the questions asked by legislators.
As soon as Parameshwara tabled the written replies, opposition BJP members, including Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, pointed out to the Chair that the situation had not improved despite repeated warnings, even as the Home Minister claimed that there was a "bit of improvement."
"Not even 50 per cent questions were replied to. You (Speaker) have warned them (government) four times already, do it for the fifth time. Let it become a record. This government is dead.....Despite warnings, they have not improved. Officials come like Gods, they go home like Gods," Ashoka said, demanding that the Speaker take action.
Khader expressed displeasure, stating that he had issued "clear orders" from his chair four times.
"This House is not for ministers. The session is held for legislators, and it is for them to meet once in three months to discuss issues in their constituencies. Legislators from all parties ask questions. Out of them, only 15 questions become 'starred' (questions to be answered on the floor of the House) daily. If the remaining (unstarred) questions go unanswered, why should they (MLAs) come to this House?" he asked.
Pointing out the lack of proper replies to questions asked, the Speaker said, "How can we continue like this? Despite clear orders from the Chair four times, there are no signs of improvement. How do we run this House?"
"So, until the concerned ministers and secretaries give a proper explanation, I won't run this House," he said, before adjourning the House and walking out.
Later, when the House resumed, the Speaker said there was a meeting involving the Chief Minister, Leader of Opposition, senior minister, chief secretary and other senior officials took place, during which it was decided that answers should be provided to questions put by MLAs and appropriate action had been taken.
The government will give its reply on this issue later in the day, he said, as he adjourned the House for lunch.
