We have identified 886 vulnerable children selling products at traffic signals from 432 hotspots: KSLSA tells Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA) on Friday informed the Karnataka High Court that it has identified 886 vulnerable children selling products at traffic signals from 432 hotspots. .The activity of mapping and data collection of vulnerable children was undertaken by KSLSA till January 29, the Court was told. It was added that 112 members (including various volunteers) had participated in the in the mapping process though many government officials remained absent..A mobile application “We are for child” was employed to track down homeless children, it was submitted. .A Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka appreciated KSLSA for taking the initiatives to locate destitute children..The Court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition by NGO Letzkit Foundation, seeking prohibition of children from selling products at traffic junctions in Bengaluru..The petitioner was represented by Advocate Puthige Ramesh..During the hearing, KSLSA told the Court that the “actual survey” for identification of children would commence soon. The Court was further informed that KSLSA has organized various training programmes for the Data Collection Teams (DCT) before the work of survey begins..KSLSA also pointed out that one of the main challenges faced during the mapping process was the lack of co-ordination from government departments.In view of this argument, the Court opined that it is necessary to secure the co-operation of all stakeholders such as Traffic Police, SAPO, Officers of BBMP, among others to conduct the survey in order to identify homeless and destitute children who are forced to sell products at traffic signals, the .In this regard, the Member Secretary of KSLSA was directed by the Court to give a note in writing, to all the stakeholders, so that the survey is carried out effectively.“We want to ensure that the survey is carried out effectively as various law students, lawyers, and paralegals are there as volunteers. Their work should not go to waste,” the Bench remarked. .The Court further expressed hope that all the stakeholders would rise to the occasion to assist KSLSA as well as the DCT in the best possible manner.Considering the seriousness of the issue, the Bench also directed all stakeholders to be physically present for the next hearing to discuss the plan of action in conducting the survey..This hearing will not be in open court but in the conference hall, the Court clarified. .Karnataka High Court asks KSLSA for scheme on identification of destitute children after noting inaction on part of State and BBMP .Few months back, the Court had directed the KSLSA to identify homeless and destitute children who are forced to sell products at traffic signals in the city..A Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Vishwajith Shetty had passed this direction after it noted inaction on the part of the State government and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in coming up with a scheme for identification of these children..In one of the previous hearings, the Court had observed that it is a serious issue as children are forced to do begging or sell things.."This is a serious issue as children are forced to do begging or sell things, they are deprived of their fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21A. If their circumstances are forcing them to do so, then it is a violation of their fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21," the Court had said. .The matter will now be taken up on February 18.

We have identified 886 vulnerable children selling products at traffic signals from 432 hotspots: KSLSA tells Karnataka High Court

Rintu Mariam Biju

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