FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2013 DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU daily Excelsior Welcome Established 1965 Political hypocrites Founder Editor S.D. Rohmetra his is a political column. and hypocritical politicians do while playing outside her par- go and eat a meal’. The girls I So the only reason why not find some other way of pre- ents’ pavement home in Delhi. interviewed in the ‘dancers Kudankulum Tyou are reading about venting the dance bars from She was sold to a brothel under room’ of a bar just after the ban Dr Monika Koul dance bars this week is because opening again. the Kennedy Bridge and forced came into effect came from very it was for entirely political rea- If they are genuinely inter- to have sex with more than ten poor families in Calcutta, he good news is that Kudankulum Nuclear Power Plant Administrative inefficiency is all set to be commissioned and is ready to generate sons that they were closed in ested in ending the horror of men a day in a cubicle no wider Kanpur and Lucknow. They Maharashtra in 2005.. Political child prostitution they need to than a large desk. were mostly illiterate so their Tpower. Tamil Nadu Power woes will soon be a history o fewer than 16 water works projects reasons so narrow that the opin- work harder to ensure that the She came back with us the employment options were limit- and power crisis all over the state may come to an end. Hours of power cut that result in loss of productivity and revenue were approved for Bandipora district ion of vociferous middle class brothels of Mumbai stop forcing day we went on the raid to ed but the moralists who moralists was given precedence children to become sex slaves. search for a scrap of paper on imposed the ban could not have generation will be a thing of past. Yet, there is hue and cry that have been abandoned for no over the livelihood of thousands This can easily be done because which she thought was written cared less. They come from over its commissioning. Political parties and some vested N interests have started lobbying against the government and are specified reason. Local MLAs brought the of women who supported whole the police know exactly which her parents address. When we middle class families who most- families on what they earned. brothels have children in them got to the brothel she searched ly believe that poor people are raising slogans and creating ruckus. The question that needs matter to the notice of the authorities. In And, so hypocritical that the and which ones do not. If they desperately in a blue plastic ‘bad’ at the best of times. to be addressed is: Why is there so much antagonism towards Home Minister of Maharashtra, do not stop child prostitution it vanity case filled with cheap Moralists are not easily the Indian Nuclear Policy and why people in India people are 2011, the matter figured in the District so anti-nuke when it is going to solve the energy crisis which R.R. Patil, has never dared is because the brothel owners cosmetics and she searched defeated either. Like all puri- country is challenged with? Many people and several NGOs Development Board. The case lingered on. admit that dance bars have noth- make enough money to keep the under the narrow wooden plank tans they believe righteousness are spreading various misconceptions against the technology ing to do with child prostitution. police happy. If anyone can that had been her bed. She did is on their side. So if the A year later in June 2012, legislators vehe- and blaming it as a persistent threat to the adjoining ecosys- Little girls are no use in dance change things it should be the not find it and it clearly broke Supreme Court does not keep a tems that are in vicinity of the plant. Fishermen are being mis- mently protested against the carelessness bars because they look like little Home Minister that is if he is her heart. As we were leaving careful eye on what is going to informed and misled regarding the possible health hazards of of authorities to move the matter and induce girls even if they are dressed in really interested in stopping the Ian Dowling, the man who ran happen now it is entirely possi- the glittering skirts and veils of most sickening form of child the rescue centre where she had nuclear radiations and their impact on health. Supreme Court ble that the same people will get of India has already looked into opponents view and their the contractors to resume completion of the bar dancers but they can be eas- abuse. been taken, told me that she was back into action and find some ily turned into prostitutes in the Around the time that Mr. HIV positive. In Mumbai there concerns over the Nuclear Power Plant and the bench has works in hand. All that was done was to con- other way to ensure that dance already given their verdict in favour of the power plant. The pitiless brothels of Mumbai Patil closed the dance bars in are hundreds of thousands of bars do not come back into busi- stitute a Committee under the chairmanship where depraved old men come skeptics and apprehensions regarding the technology have ness. It is the city that has to been debated and discussed over at length. The experts of of the District Development Commissioner to satisfy their disgusting give licenses for a bar to open desires. nuclear technology, scientists, policy makers, Non-govern- of Bandipora, which would study the current ON THE SPOT and the licenses may become ment organizations and representatives of public have exten- Mumbai is one of the impossible to get. If this hap- world’s largest centres for child TAVLEEN SINGH sively deliberated on the topic at various platforms. There is status of the projects and submit a report. pens it would be a tragedy for no conclusive opinion and there are no scientific data to sup- trafficking according to organi- Mumbai because I remember The committee completed its assignment zations that work to stop this 2005 I was doing a programme girls like her in the brothels. port that the nuclear energy generated from this plant or the the dance bar in which I went to plant per se is not safe. Yet, people are being carried away by and submitted the report to the awful commerce and most traf- for NDTV’s Hindi channel They should be easy to find but do my interviews as a happy ficked children end up in the called Indianama. One of the for this to happen you need false propaganda regarding the issue and are set to again Commissioner Secretary GAD and copies place filled with music, lights demand the closure of the plant. brothels. If Mr. Patil were sin- first episodes I did was about political leaders who are moti- and gilded ceilings. The brothels cere about ridding this city of child prostitution in Mumbai vated by more than hypocrisy to all concerned departments involved in the of Mumbai, on the other hand, I child trafficking he needed only and I was able to do it only and tokenism. remember as places that reek of schemes. A year is about to go by when the to wander down to the sad, because the police chief at the Because of their fraudulent evil, exploitation and disease. squalid brothels under this city’s time, Anami Roy, was eager to motives girls who made an hon- report was submitted and no action whatso- The rescued child prostitutes I Kennedy Bridge, a stone’s publicize the raids that he was est living and good money out talked to told stories of being ever has been taken. The report has stated throw from his office, and he conducting on brothels. The of dancing in bars were driven misutilization of Government funds by the would find the real victims. story that unfolded for me that into the streets. Some were beaten and starved if they Instead, he chose to go for an day was so horrible that by the forced into prostitution, some refused to service customers. executing agency in connivance with the easier target and ended up time we finished visiting broth- were trafficked to countries in Even on days when they were concerned contractors of the schemes. depriving 75,000 bar dancers of els late that evening I had a high the Middle East and some found sick they were forced to work their livelihood and closing fever and was sickened to my whatever work they could to and more often than not all they Nearly a year has passed by and no down bars that were a uniquely soul. I met young girls, some no feed their families. In the words ’earned’ were two meals a day action has been taken. No enquiry has been Mumbai institution and an more than fourteen years old, of a bar dancer I interviewed for and some clothes. If Mr. R.R. amusing side product of who had been kidnapped and a column that appeared in April Patil is sincere in wanting to do instituted into the allegation of misuse of Bollywood. The Supreme Court forced into prostitution before 2005, ‘Where we could make Rs something good for Mumbai it funds. Is it because some people with vest- has reversed a serious injustice they reached puberty. I remem- 200 and Rs 300 a day we barely is the brothels he needs to in its recent judgement and we ber in particular the story of a manage to make Rs 20 and attack. The question to ask is Are our actions justified? Are we a bunch of illiterate peo- ed interests are involved that are using polit- can only hope that girl whose name I think was sometimes it gets so bad the why he has not already done ple who can be misled by anybody? In a Democracy like India ical clout to cover up the entire episode? It Maharashtra’s narrow-minded Rubina who was kidnapped owner gives us a few rupees to so. aren't we responsible for our actions as well. Is it alright to stop anything coming in India because public is not well has to be remembered that the water works informed and do not participate and help in informed decision taken in hand were meant to bring relief to making? Why are we always anti-technology? Why can't we the population of the district facing difficul- Panchayats and child sex ratio weigh all the pros and cons of technology and decide what we want. Today, India is seen as a global leader. Other nations are ties of access to drinking water. A demo- Sanjeev Arora moves together, when it comes tives especially women are Since Ward Member (female) is looking at India as a future destination of investment. We need more jobs for youth, better infrastructure for industry cratic Government's primary duty is to cater ndia is ranked very low in to improving gender relation. As expected to extend their hands the Chairperson of the and electricity is a big issue in front of us. Tamil Nadu is seen the Human Development per 2001 census, only five dis- in creating a gender just society Anganwadi Centre Monitoring to the needs of the people at large. Service as a potential state to attract investors and Kudankumum Index. The priority of tricts had CSR less than by dissemination of right kind Committee.It would be easier on I Power Plant is an answer to many problems that the state is to the people and meeting their legitimate human development would be National average i.e. 934 where- of information, minimizing the her part to closely monitor the facing. Extensive Environment Impact Assessment has been demands make sense when we talk of defeated without the promotion as within a decade of time it has impact of stigma and ensuring registration of pregnant woman and empowerment of women declined to the range of less livelihood. and persuade her to register at carried out in the area and the summary statement and EIA democracy. But what can be said of a sys- and girls who constitute nearly than 919 (National average in Generally the agenda of dis- Anganwadi Centre after the first report has clearly recommended the project to be safe and tem in which public interest is advertently 48.46 per cent of total popula- 2011) in fifteen districts. Not cussion in Gram Sabha meeting month of conception. This plat- given environmental clearance to it. We have to understand tion as per 2011 census. only in a backward State like is on infrastructure, IAY house form can put pressure to change that construction of the project started 24 years earlier with a sacrificed for personal interests. It is a case Constitution of India provides Odisha but the same dismal sex and pension scheme. They sel- mindset and create collective joint collaboration with the then USSR, now Russia. It has not only of misuse of public funds but also equal rights to both men and ratio is also found in developed dom discuss on issues of social consciousness among the peo- been 24 years of scientific and technological inputs that have women as a fundamental right. states like Maharashtra development such as ensuring ple. gone to make the dream project into reality. Thousands of sci- of misuse of public trust. This case is an But in reality, the prevailing (883:1000), Haryana attendance of doctors in pri- *NGOs which work for entists and technologists have studied minutest details of the eye-opener for the Government because it patriarchy social structure of (830:1000), Jammu Kashmir mary Health Centres or teach- women empowerment should plant….right from the design, sight selection, the mechanics India is predominantly responsi- (859:1000), Punjab (846:1000) ers in schools. They never take take this serious issue on their and physics involved and many other details. Scientists and embodies the sordid story of rank inefficien- ble for the secondary and subju- as per 2011 Census. Where have up other retrograde trends such agenda and undertake sustained experts have been consulted at each and every step of execu- cy dogging the Government institutions. gated status of women in the all these missing girls gone ? as trafficking, malnutrition or IEC interventions in Gram tion, fuel testing, study of chemical reactions involved and society. They are subject to dis- Despite a slew of laws to female foeticide. There is a sig- Sabha and Mahila Sabha with other attributes. Dr A.P. J. Abdul Kalam the missile man of The entire effort of sponsoring 16 projects of crimination from womb to prevent female foeticide and nificant gap between the issues the support of Panchayat. India and a great nuclear scientist has been giving public lec- water works in the district boils down to tomb. These disparities are schemes to encourage families raised for discussion in the *Panchayat can also select tures regarding its safety and clearly pointed out that argu- reflected in the various indica- to have girl child the ratio has Gram Panchayat and the issues some volunteers of SHGs who ments against the plant have no scientific credibility. enquiry after enquiry with action either elu- tors of human development such declined. Unlike several social that are important to women. can take active lead in educating International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) has declared sive or non-existent. as health, education, nutrition legislations directed at changing So it is the need of the hour for their members and others in the this plant as one of the safest in the world and vouches for its etc. Violence against women social behaviour and practices, Panchayat to develop strategies society through organizing the design and expected delivery. VVER reactor used in this plant Resentful employees in Ladakh remains one of the most perva- the pre-conception and Pre- to address the issues and chal- social campaign. belongs to the most advanced family of Advanced Pressure sive, yet normal manifestations Natal Diagnostic Techniques lenges of child sex ratio. *Gram Panchayats are the water reactors (PMRs). It is also seen as one of the best of gender inequality. Violence (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Strategies to address the only bodies accessible to almost sources of non-conventional energy sources at present as the tate employees in Ladakh region are against women takes a variety Act 1994 demands ethical med- issue of Child Sex Ratio each / every individual in the net emissions of green house gases (GHGs) is going to be resentful on discrimination made in of forms from female foeticide, ical practices. Unfortunately it *Gram Panchayat can take village. It is the responsibility of highly reduced in comparison to Thermal Power Plants. It will has not been able to prevent initiative to call for special their emoluments when compared infanticide, child marriage, mal- elected Panchayat representa- also help country to abide by the recommendations of Kyoto S nutrition, sex abuse, trafficking determination of pre natal sex Gram Sabha to discuss about tives and volunteers as con- Protocol and hence help the environment and boost the econ- with what the Central Government employ- and dowry harassment etc. A and female foeticide. In fact, CSR, the impact of having larg- cerned citizens, to see that omy. pernicious form of violence both for the effective implemen- er men than women. It is also neighbours, relatives do not It is important to bring to the public notice that a 15 mem- ees are paid. The latter are paid 12.5 per tation of the law as well as for important to demystify the against women is "elimination indulge in sex selection. They ber expert Group represented by scientists, State Government creating collective conscious- myths about sex determination cent of their basic pay as special allowance of girl child"-Fall in child sex should keep a watch on the nominees and 4 representatives of the peoples group analyzed ness to discourage this rampant of foetus and increase the value ratio. agents or touts who facilitate the the various attributes of the project and have firmly concluded on the basis of harsh climate and difficult liv- discrimination against the girl of girl though advocacy. One of the demographic fea- family of pregnant woman in that there are no health risks and hazards involved. After the child a person to person social *There is a need of overall ing conditions in Ladakh region. Employees tures of India, Child sex ratio for sex determination test, female Fukoshima Nuclear Accident in Japan, there is an increased movement need to be initiated at transformation of social atti- of J&K State posted to the same region the 0-6 age group has dimin- foeticides and should immedi- concern over any accident and its impact on people, biodiver- ished from 927 in 2001 to 914 in Panchayat level. The recent tude, where girls are seen as sity and natural resources. The committee has clearly stated elections of PRIs in the state of ASSET than LIABILITY. ately report to the police. have justification in demanding same spe- last census. Decline of girl child *It is the responsibility of that the previous nuclear accidents were not because of the ratio is continuous for last five Jammu and Kashmir has given a Regular holding of Mahila plants as such but because of the faulty design of the equip- cial allowance as well because the climatic new life to Panchayati Raj Sabha, discussion, deliberation the Panchayat Institutions to be decades. CSR in India has vigilant to ensure that no clin- ments and designs. Besides, if we go by statistics, the casual- and living conditions for them are the same declined by 62 points (976-914) Institutions. on the impact of CSR on ties or deaths due to nuclear accidents has been very low and In Jammu and Kashmir Society and illegality of sex ic/medical professional engaged as for the Central Government employees. while the CSR in J&K has fall- in this activity. almost negligible till date. More deaths occur due to road acci- en by 97 points (from 957 to more than thirty thousand grass determination test would defi- dents in many states of India. However, the point of debate It is not fair to use different yardsticks for the root leaders get elected recently nitely help in changing the *The Panchayati Raj 860). Child sex ratio seemed Institutions can become a criti- still is that can we afford to say no to this technology at this normal till 1981; afterwards and have became agents of mindset of parents. same category of employees. Naturally cal catalyst for creating an hour. The answer is categorical ''No". None of the technolo- there has been steady decline change for planning and execu- *Sex determination is possi- enabling environment for gies can come without a risk. We have to get to basic econom- resentment adversely affects the output of both at national level as well as tion of different development ble only after three months of ics and do a cost benefit analysis- some serious auditing. women and girls by moulding in the individual states. The programmes in a participatory pregnancy. Under the scheme of The requirement of power is increasing and we have a work. State employees have expressed attitude and behaviour of peo- standard of sex ratio at birth is approach. State government Mamata, the pregnant women deficit that is a serious stumbling block in the progress of our ple. While the problem won't be their resentment. It has to be noted that biologically stable. Ideally the has delegated powers and have to register themselves at nation. It holds a great promise….we cannot wait to take deci- solved immediately, it must be child sex ratio should be around responsibilities to manage 14 Anganwadi Centre. Those who sion in favour of that is unseen. That many people presume State employees usually avoid postings to addressed urgently. 950 girls per 1000 boys in the departments have been register after three months are can happen. It is the time to welcome Kudankulum with open Ladakh region. Not only that even many absence of social and behavioral devolved to Panchayats includ- likely to have gone for sex (The author is Urban and Regional Planning Gender arms and harvest the benefits or we shall again lose an oppor- refuse posting to Ladakh on promotion and interference. This clearly points ing monitoring and supervision determination of foetus. These tunity. of Health Centres and AWC. cases should be brought to the Consultant, Ministry of Women and to the fact that economic growth (The author is Assistant Professor Hans Raj College, University of forego the benefits that would accrue to Thus the elected representa- notice of Gram Panchayat. Child Development Government of and human development seldom India) Delhi) them. This is because of the harshness of severe climatic conditions. Equip Trauma Centres There is growing resentment among the Sir, State employees. They have brought their This has reference to the news item 'Fully equip trauma cen- Let State Government act Mining activity Sir, tres on highway' DE July 17. Sir, complaint to the authorities but have not Refer news item 'Centre rejects J&K Govt proposal for Special In view of increasing number of accidents on the Jammu- Refer news item 'Mining set to adversely affect ecology of been responded sympathetically. The package to quake victims' DE July 17. The rejection of J&K Govt Srinagar National Highway it is appreciated that the Departmental Vaishno Devi Shrine' DE July 17. proposal for special package to earthquake victims by the Central Government should take a decision in this Related Standing Committee (DRSC-II) has taken cognizance of One does not know whether any survey has been conducted in the fact that there is need to equip all 12 Trauma Centres located Government should not stop the State Government from extending the area to assess the impact of mining of Magnesite on the forests matter before the employees are forced to on Highway so that they become fully functional and provide relief to people of this region. go on strike and paralyze routine work in the quick medical aid to victims. of Trikuta Hills where sacred Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is Rather Government should harness all possible measures Many precious lives could be saved if road accident victims are located. As reported, the mining activity in the vicinity is feared to within its domain to ensure that quake-hit victims do not suffer offices. We believe that employees post- provided immediate medical aid. In view of treacherous nature of adversely affect ecology of the area and prove hazardous for health more. Besides, formulating a strategy to extend helping hand ed to inhospitable regions should be given road, landslides due to rains, rash and negligent driving every year of thousand of pilgrims visiting the shrine. should not take more time. If any assistance is not extended at the many other facilities as well besides special many people lose their lives. Most of the victims succumb to So no activity should be carried out which is going to harm the earliest possible time frame, then providing the same at a later injuries as they do not get timely assistance. Realizing the need for sacred shrine. Before carrying out the activity, the concerned stage is of no purpose. allowances. The incentives would ultimately Trauma Centres, the successive Governments set up these centres. should put in place measures which would ensure that no damage The people in this region have suffered extensively. Schools Now, in case they do not function properly and do not render serv- is done to ecology of the area. have collapsed, cracks have appeared on houses, many lost their help in running better administration in far- ice to the needy then whole purpose of these centres is defeated. Besides, inquiry should be instituted why environment lives. Tragedy of such nature cannot be ignored. It has to be tack- Besides, there existence will prove like that of a white elephant - flung areas. clearance was granted fraudulently as is reported in the news burden on exchequer and human resource loss. led earnestly and quickly. The concerned department should lay no stone unturned to report. Therefore, the State Government should explore all possible make them functional to provide timely relief to people. Yours etc.... means to extend a helping hand to these people at the earliest. Yours etc...... Om Parkash Mehra Yours etc.... Sanjeev Kumar Kachi Chowni, Sunil Sharma Nagrota Jammu Digiana