Pay for child rights panel chief hiked

The State government on Monday filed an affidavit before the High Court stating that it had issued a notification effecting a hike in the monthly honorarium of the Chairperson of Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights from Rs 3,500 to 75,000.

During the hearing of a petition by Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL) and South India Cell Human Rights Education and Management (SICHREM), the State submitted that it had amended Section 36 of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.

Earlier, the Chairperson was paid Rs 3,500 and Rs 1,500 was paid to Commission members per sitting.

In its submission, the State government said according to the amended rules of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Rules 2012, the Chairperson will get Rs 75,000.

Whereas, members will be paid Rs 1,500 per sitting. Also, they can avail travel allowance for first class train or A/C tier II coach.

The Chief Justice, on the occasion, said that Secretary should not be placed on a higher pedestal.

In his submission, government counsel R G Kolle said the member secretary of the Commission will be treated as a secretary instead of member secretary.

Moreover, when the counsel for the petitioner sought that more power be invested with the chairperson than with the secretary, R G Kolle said it was not possible here.