4,328 complaints registered at Santwana centres in Kolar

As many as 4,328 complaints had been registered at the six “Santwana” (centre for providing assistance to women and children in distress) in Kolar district. Deputy Director of Women and Child Development Bhaskar told a meeting that while 74 complainants had taken shelter at the centre, legal assistance had been extended to nine, education for 34, vocational guidance provided to 38 and financial assistance extended to one complainant.

He said that five complainants had been provided jobs also. Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer B B Kaveri said that highest number of complaints had been registered at Santwana centre in Bethamangala. She sought to know the delay in providing assistance to the aggrieved persons who approached the centre.

Pavithra, the head of Bethamangala Santwana centre said that requisite assistance had been extended to persons approaching the centre. “Bethamangala is the border taluk of the district and hence has been receiving more complaints. We have been making every effort to extend help to the aggrieved persons. In case the case is not solved at our end, we transfer it to the police station and lodge a complaint. We have been providing relief to the aggrieved persons by moving court. The police have been extending cooperation in all these tasks,” she said.

Bhaskar said that the department does not get any grant for conducting awareness programmes. However, the heads of the centres have been creating awareness by visiting schools and colleges. The CEO said that Social Welfare department receives the highest grants from the government and cooperation should be sought from the department by writing to the joint director.

She said that awareness programmes should be held in the hostels run by the Social Welfare department.
Gowramma, the head of Srinivaspur Santwana centre, said that a SSLC student was sexually assaulted in Yaldur of the taluk and the girl. She was under treatment for two months.

The teachers at her school denied her an opportunity to appear for the examination. She said that the officials of the Women and Child Welfare department has promised to pay a compensation of Rs 10,000 to the survivor, but paid only Rs 5,000.  She alleged that the officials of the Education department had remained unresponsive despite a request to allow the student for the examination in view of her future.

The CEO, who conducted the block education officer of Srinivaspur over the phone, instructed the BEO to allow the survivor for the supplementary examination scheduled to be held in June. She said that a large number of dowry harassment cases are registered at police stations and the heads of Santwana centres should obtain the information about such cases from the police station and take steps for their resolution.
The CEO ordered issue of show cause notice to child development programme office of Kolar, who had absented himself from the meeting.