Child friendly legislators of Karnataka honoured by UNICEF

A total of forty Karnataka legislators were honoured by the UNICEF at a unique function in Bangalore for raising questions relating to children and their problems during the legislature sessions held in 2006.

Twenty-two MLAs and eighteen MLCs were the recipients of the Karnataka Child Friendly Legislators’ Award instituted by UNICEF with the support of Child Rights Trust.

A study carried out by the Child Rights Trust revealed that the Legislative Assembly had devoted 15.07 per cent of its Question Hour time to children’s issues by discussing a total of 252 questions. While Opposition Congress MLAs accounted for 100 questions, the BJP MLAs had asked 79 questions. The JD (S) MLAs had raised only 32 questions. Independents and legislators from smaller parties accounted for the rest of the questions in the Legislative Assembly.

In the Legislative Council, a total of 192 questions pertaining to children were raised, accounting for 14.36 per cent of the Question Hour time. Again, Congress MLCs took the lead by asking 115 questions followed by BJP’s 39 and JD (S)’ 12 questions. Independents and MLCs from other parties had asked the remaining 26 questions.

But, the child rights’ organizations have expressed concern over the poor record of child sensitivity among the legislators of Karnataka. For, only 22 out of 243 members in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and 18 out of the close to 150 members in the Legislative Council had chosen to raise questions relating to children.

UNICEF State representative Michael Saint Lot, who was present at the function, urged the Karnataka Government to dedicate a day to discuss child issues in the legislature. Karnataka was still sufferring from rampant child labour, child trafficking, child marriage and malnutrition, he said.

A large number of children go missing in Karnataka every year, which even goes unreported in the police stations. Besides, 43.5 per cent of children below the age of three years were malnourished in the State.

Michael urged the legislators to address child-centric issues such as schooling, health camps, issuing birth certificates and providing drinking facilities in schools.