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Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) judicial member Suresh Vantigodi directed officials to ensure that all children residing in government-run hostels receive every facility extended to them under government schemes and that no student faces any hardship. He was speaking after inspecting a pre-matric girls’ hostel run by the Social Welfare Department and the post-matric girls’ hostel that functioned under the Backward Classes Welfare Department in Koppal city on Friday. Later, he chaired a review meeting with officials of various departments at the government guest house. Mr. Vantigodi said that during the inspection, the hostels were found to be functioning well and that children were generally satisfied with the facilities. However, he emphasised the need to maintain cleanliness, ensure access to safe drinking water, and provide nutritious food to all children. He also instructed hostel authorities to arrange for hot water for bathing and set up separate dressing rooms for girls in post-matric hostels. “Tahsildars should conduct surprise inspections of hostels periodically to check the quality of food and facilities provided to students. Security guards must be appointed at hostels, roads leading to hostels should be properly maintained, and streetlights should be installed wherever necessary,” he said. He further directed that monthly health check-ups be conducted for all students. In crowded hostels, arrangements must be made to accommodate children in additional hostels. “Children must never be deprived of nutritious food or the prescribed menu,” he said. Mr. Vantigodi also instructed the police to create waiting halls at all police stations for citizens visiting to file complaints. Similarly, he told the city municipal council to ensure proper sanitation, drinking water supply, and maintenance of public toilets. The KSHRC member said his visit followed a suo motu case taken up earlier in the district, which has now been resolved. “The responsibility now lies with the respective department officials to ensure that such issues do not recur,” he added. Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Suresh B. Itnal and Principal District and Sessions Judge Chandra Shekhar C., who is also the chairperson of the district legal services authority, welcomed Mr. Vantigodi at the Koppal Inspectors’ Bungalow.
