Officials in dark over their panel

'Vigilance committee failed to check child labour due to depts non-cooperation'

The officials at the review meet on Tuesday were surprised when Sundaresh, Inspector, Labour Department mentioned about the existence of such a committee.

When President N G Byatappa asked him to elaborate, Sundaresh said the committee consisted of officers of various departments including deputy tahsildar, revenue inspector, taluk panchayat extension officer, child development planning officer, assistant child development planning officer, block education officer, physical education director, sericulture department’s development officer, city municipality corporation commissioner.

He further said that a workshop on the vigilance committee was held in 2009 on its functioning of the committee. Besides, the Supreme Court and deputy commissioner has issued directions to the officials of these department with regard to the issue.

“The officials who are in the vigilance committee can raid the places where children are employed,” Sundaresh said. Even at the hobli level team led by the deputy tahsildar can raid the place where the offence is reported, he added.

However, no efforts have been done so far by any of the officials carried out the raid and as a lone fighter, the Labour Department could register only 36 cases.

Legitimacy

Replying to the issue raised by Sundaresh, the Child Development Planning Officer said, even if the inspectors of the committee carried out it can be considered legitimate only if the team is accompanied by the officials of the labour department and doctors.

Otherwise, the case will not stand in the court, he added. The panchayat president as well as in-charge Chief Executive Officer K S Nagarajagowda assured Sundaresh of extending the services of all the departments.

 Another issue that was discussed elaborately during the review meet was diversion of fund meant for the students. Byatappa took Social Welfare Department taluk officer Abdul Khaji for diverting the fund. He warned the officer of stern action when the latter failed to come up with proper clarification.

The president was miffed when the officials of other departments didn’t provide satisfactory report on the utilisation of funds sanctioned by the taluk panchayat.
He directed them to submit a comprehensive report.

Vice-President T V Jayalakshmi at the meeting said workload on the anganwadis should be reduced by taking steps to delegate their works regarding Stree Shakti groups to other agencies.

Disciplinary action

Besides, though the meeting was delayed by half-an hour the officials of different departments had not attended the meeting. Disciplinary action will be initiated against the Scheduled Caste and Tribes Development Corporation, Karnataka Land Army Corporation, Minings and Geology Department, Literacy Committee and State Road Transport Corporation, the angry president said.

Welcome

The newly nominated members of the taluk panchayat were given a warm welcome on the occasion. Ashwathgowda, B N Shivakumar, Kavita, M Hanumappa, Muddegowda and Syed Ashim are the newly nominated members.