CM finds interaction with kids is no child's play

From the drought situation in the state to the sale of drugs, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had to face tough questions from the young citizens of the state, on Thursday.

Over 200 children from across the state interacted with the chief minister at an event organised by the Karnataka State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) and Unicef at Vikasa Soudha. At the three-hour interaction, Siddaramaiah answered a volley of questions, some with humour and some with serious consideration.

One student, from a government hostel near Nimhans in Bengaluru, said, “The hostel staff harass us and don’t serve food on time. During menstruation, it is difficult to get even essential supplies.” The chief minister immediately instructed an official to inspect the hostel. He assured the tearful student that action will be taken against the staff if they are guilty.

Another student, Devika from K R Puram, told the chief minister that sale of tobacco and drugs had increased in her neighbourhood in A Narayanapura ward. “Children are also involved in the sale of cigarettes. What measures will you take to stop the sale of cigarettes and drugs?” she asked.

Siddaramaiah said that though cigarette packets carry a warning about the dangers of smoking, people still smoke. “I used to smoke too, but I stopped when I had health issues,” Siddaramaiah said. He also called up the jurisdictional DCP and spoke to him. “A child here is telling me that drugs are being sold in K R Puram. Look into this matter immediately and submit a report. If you find anyone selling drugs, file a criminal case against them,” he instructed the DCP.

A child from Indi taluk asked, “CM sir, for the past two years, we have not been getting milk at our school. Why is that so?”

The surprised CM asked the commissioner for public instruction for an explanation. Sowjanya, the commissioner, answered that milk was being supplied to all schools and told the CM that she would enquire about the child’s school.

When the CM advised children to join government schools instead of private ones, one student replied that government schools don’t have basic facilities.

“Why is the literacy rate in the state dropping?”one student asked. He interrupted the child to say that the literacy rate has increased. He then turned to the commissioner and asked her what the exact figure was. When she was unable to answer, Siddaramaiah questioned her, “Aren’t you the commissioner? Don’t you know the literacy rate?”