Sex workers urge government to provide alternative livelihood, extend financial support
The federation urged the government to implement community-based rehabilitation programs and extend welfare schemes to support their reintegration into society. According to Apoorva, President of the NGO Vimukthi, which fights for the rights of trafficked survivors in the State, there are about 1.33 lakh sex workers and survivors of trafficking in Andhra Pradesh.
Speaking at a programme held on International Sex Workers' Rights Day on Monday, Vimukthi executive committee member, Shanti, expressed concern over the poor implementation of government orders intended to protect the rights of sex workers and their families.
Ms. Apoorva asked the government to facilitate the formation of self-help groups (SHGs) among the survivors and provide access to loans for them through the APSACS, DRDA, and MEPMA and create opportunities for alternative livelihoods.
The programme was attended by HELP, secretary Ram Mohan Nimmaraju, programme manager Bhaskar, Vimukthi project manager Pavan Kumar and others.
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Indian Express
5 days ago
- Indian Express
Don't blame the street dogs. It is only an easy way out
Written by Apoorva and Sruthi K On August 11, the Supreme Court of India ordered that all street dogs in Delhi be relocated to dog shelters within a period of eight weeks. This order was passed after the Court took suo motu cognisance of a news report highlighting a rise in fatal street dog attacks on infants in the national capital. The Bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan had earlier expressed concerns about the growing threat posed to infants, children, and the elderly by unvaccinated street dogs. Human-canine conflict is not a novel issue in India. The issue has been discussed, debated, litigated, decided, and re-opened for discussion multiple times. In the present case, the Supreme Court's concern is understandable. When there is complete failure on behalf of the state to address an issue, even the doctrine of separation of powers permits the judiciary to step in and hold the executive accountable. However, the Court's August 11 intervention is legally problematic on multiple counts. The first major problem with the order is that it was passed in contravention of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 and the PCA (Animal Birth Control) Rules, 2023, which prohibit the relocation of dogs and provide for the establishment of scientifically proven and robust animal birth control programmes across the country. Passing an order without the application of existing law makes this decision arbitrary. It also sends the wrong message to the general public. When the highest court of the land can choose to disregard the country's laws, what can stop common citizens from believing themselves above it? Second, by ignoring its own jurisprudence on the issue, the Supreme Court has violated the principle of stare decisis (to stand by things decided). The Supreme Court has already settled this in Animal Welfare Board of India vs People for Elimination of Stray Troubles (2024). Reopening the issue in just a little over one year will dilute the people's faith in the certainty and finality of decisions of the apex court. If an issue decided by the Supreme Court can be litigated in the absence of a significant change in the underlying facts, there will be no end to litigation. This is problematic because hyper-focusing on litigation diverts the state's already limited resources away from programmatic implementation. Third, the Supreme Court's order violates a core principle of natural justice: Audi alteram partem (hear the other side). The apex court declined to entertain the repeated requests for impleadment by parties that had the locus standi (the right or capacity to bring an action or to appear in a court) to intervene in the case. In fact, the Court even refused to heed the suggestions of the amicus curiae (friend of the court) that it had appointed on its own. Further, the lack of a reasoned order deals a heavy blow to transparent and accountable judicial decision-making. The order is not based on evidence, is unscientific, and is virtually impossible to implement. It is evident that the Court has not considered the impact of enforced dog sheltering on public health, public safety, or even the public exchequer while arriving at its decision. Article 51A(g) of the Indian Constitution places a fundamental duty to have compassion for living creatures on citizens. By ordering that it will take action against any individual or organisation that tries to obstruct the forced relocation of street dogs, the highest constitutional court is telling citizens that they could be punished for performing their fundamental duties. As a constitutional court, it is the Supreme Court's responsibility to uphold the Constitution, not undermine it. The Court's solution is more likely to create new problems than resolve the old ones. In its anger at the present state of affairs, the Supreme Court has taken the easy way out: Blaming the street dogs. Villainising street dogs is a convenient smokescreen to hide the total failure of the state machinery (the third tier of government in particular) in performing their legal duties. For instance, a majority of local authorities have failed to successfully implement humane population control measures to curb the rising street dog population in their jurisdictions. Further, while anti-rabies vaccination for street dogs has been limited, local authorities have struggled to humanely euthanise street dogs who have been confirmed to be rabid. Poor solid waste management by local bodies has made the situation worse. In this context, it is important to recognise that human-canine conflict is not an issue that can be solved through the stroke of a pen. Instead of focusing on locking up all the animals, judicial intervention should address the root cause of the problem of human-canine conflict: The failure of the third tier of government to implement animal birth control and anti-rabies programmes. Whatever it may choose to do, there is a need for the Court (and the media) to avoid further polarisation and politicisation of the issue. Apoorva and Sruthi work at ALPN Research Foundation, a think-tank working on animal law and policy in India
New Indian Express
07-08-2025
- New Indian Express
Midday meal workers protest in Hyderabad over unpaid dues, demand Rs 10,000 salary
HYDERABAD: Thousands of midday meal workers who prepare and serve meals to children in government schools across Telangana, staged a dharna on Wednesday in front of the Commissioner and Directorate of School Education office in Hyderabad, demanding the fulfilment of their long-pending demands. These include the payment of overdue bills, an increase in their monthly honorarium from Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000, and additional funds to meet the revised meal menu. Police later took several midday meal workers into custody. The protesters pointed out that while the School Education department had sanctioned Rs 51 crore last week, the amount has not yet been credited to their bank accounts. They also highlighted that over Rs 70 crore worth of egg bills have been pending for the past 10 months. Moreover, midday meal workers have not been paid their salaries for the last five months. 'The government's budgetary allocation doesn't even cover the cost of two eggs. With egg bills pending for 10 months, how long can workers survive on debt?' one protester asked. 'We've been running from pillar to post, but our pleas are falling on deaf ears.' The workers also raised concerns about pressure from officials to implement a revised meal menu, including ragi java and two additional curries, without increasing the existing budget. 'There isn't enough money to manage the old menu, let alone a new one. Unless an additional budget is allocated, this is impossible,' a protester said. Speaking to TNIE, Telangana Midday Meal Workers Union general secretary SV Rama said, 'We are tired of complaining to officials about the unpaid egg bills and five months' pending salaries. Each time we raise the issue, we are given false assurances that the money will be credited soon. During the previous Assembly elections, the Congress promised in its manifesto to raise our salaries to Rs 10,000 per month. That has not happened yet. We still receive Rs 3,000, and even that is irregular.' Shanti, a midday meal worker, echoed the frustration. 'We've been requesting the officials to clear the dues till July. But because we haven't been paid, we are forced to serve only rice and dal, which is not in line with the prescribed menu.' Attempts by TNIE to get an official response from the School Education department went unanswered. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, district education officers were directed to make alternative arrangements to ensure that mid-day meals are provided to students without disruption.
The Hindu
26-07-2025
- The Hindu
Let us provide children with a nurturing environment, says judge at book launch on child protection laws in Ballari
'Merely enacting laws for child protection is not enough; we must also ensure a conducive environment for their overall development,' said K.G. Shanthi, Principal District and Sessions Judge and chairperson of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), on Saturday. She was speaking after releasing the book Laws for the Protection of Children at a programme, jointly organised by the DLSA, READS organisation, the School Education and Literacy, and the Forest Departments in Ballari. 'Children are akin to divine beings. We must provide a safe and nurturing environment in houses, schools, and neighbourhoods to help them thrive. It is unfortunate that issues such as child labour, begging, human trafficking, child marriage, and sexual abuse continue to persist in our society. Poverty and a lack of education are the main reasons for this,' she said. Ms. Shanti stressed that the role of NGOs was crucial in child protection. The newly launched book, published in collaboration with READS and various departments, would be made available in schools and libraries. 'Children must be made aware of child marriage and POCSO Act through daily school assemblies. They must take a pledge against child marriage,' she said. Highlighting the importance of environmental responsibility, she added: 'Under the campaign One Tree for Every Child, One Forest for Every School, each school should plant trees and children should be made caretakers of those trees. Just as laws are essential for children's rights, trees are essential for a healthy environment.' She also paid tribute to fallen soldiers on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas. Deputy Commissioner Prashanth Kumar Mishra, who presided over the event, said greater emphasis was needed on educational development in Kalyana Karnataka. 'Awareness of laws protecting children must spread. Let us all join hands to eliminate child marriage in the district,' he said. READS executive director C. Tippeshappa delivered the introductory remarks. Former member of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights H.C. Raghavendra introduced the book, while Janardhan, professor, Department of Development Studies, Kannada University, Hampi, conducted a workshop. As part of the One Tree for Every Child campaign, dignitaries planted saplings on the court premises before the formal event. The programme was attended by DLSA member secretary and senior civil judge Rajesh N. Hosamane, Assistant Conservator of Forests (Ballari division) Toshan Kumar, various district judges, officers from Education, Labour and Police Departments, DCPO and Childline staff, anganwadi supervisors, para-legal volunteers and heads of NGOs.
