BANGALORE: Chairperson of the Karnataka Legislative Committee on Women and Child Welfare, Shakunthala Shetty, who has submitted a report on the plight of working women and school children, has asked Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa to allot time for a debate in the House.
Speaking to reporters, Shetty said the report had generated a public debate, both in the media and outside. “We have submitted a comprehensive report on the plight of women in society including the increasing number of atrocities, missing cases, rape and exploitation. It needs to be debated in the House,” she said.
She said there were divergent opinions on the recommendations of the committee which includes a ban on carrying mobile phones by students. Shetty said, “I have received umpteen number of calls from parents expressing their solidarity on our observations, especially on the abuse of mobile phones.”
Stating that allowing a debate in the House would help in getting to know the views of legislators and evolving a legislation, she said there was no dissenting voice in the committee.
She said during their interaction with parents and girl students they came to know of various incidents wherein children were lured by strangers who exploited their innocence to commit rape and molestation. She, however, said the report does not state anywhere that cell phones are the only cause for such incidents.