Plan to shift KBVA to B’luru draws ire of child rights activists in NK

Hubballi: The proposal to shift Karnataka Bal Vikas Academy (KBVA) from Dharwad to Bengaluru has triggered anger among child rights activists in North Karnataka. The academy, set up in 2009 after an agitation, was built on 33 guntas at a cost of Rs 5.3 crore and inaugurated in 2015. Activists say it has played a key role in raising awareness of children's rights and in the development of children aged 0–18 years. They are planning an agitation against the proposal.MLA Mahesh Tenginkai, who also served as KBVA chairman, said the idea was floated even during his tenure in 2011. "To avoid this possibility, we ensured a permanent building, which was later inaugurated by CM Siddaramaiah in 2015. KBVA is the only academy with a permanent asset in North Karnataka. If the govt attempts to shift it, it will have to face a strong agitation from NK people," he warned.
Officials in the women and child welfare department said discussions are under way at the govt level in Bengaluru. "There is a thought of merging both KBVA and Bal Bhavan due to funds crunch in recent years," they said, requesting anonymity.Shankar Halagatti, another former KBVA chairman, suspected the academy was facing a funds crunch "probably with the intention of shifting it to Bengaluru". "Earlier, it used to seek suggestions from experts, theatre personalities and writers to plan various activities. Now, it's turned mute. If it's so, Dharwad will prepare for an agitation to retain it," he said.Namruta Ramesh Katti, a class 6 student and writer from Vijayapura district, said she had never heard of Bal Bhavan while KBVA was popular among children for organising district-, division- and state-level events. "If it's shifted to Bengaluru, it will become another govt office that is far away from all districts," she said.Shivanand Kelur, a KBVA awardee for achievement in child development, said the govt should not view such academies from a commercial angle. "One can't expect immediate returns from such academies. It will cultivate constructive activities among children, who are future citizens," he said.Refuting the possibility, KBVA chairman Sangamesh Babaleshwar said there is no question of shifting or merging the academy, "which is an asset of two crore children of the state". "It was set after decades of struggle by children's writers like Sisu Sangamesh, Sharanappa Kanchyani and others in Dharwad to eradicate regional imbalance. The Govt is sensitive to regional balance. If some officials are thinking about a merger, we will request the govt to merge Bal Bhavan in KBVA, having a head office in Dharwad itself. We have sent a proposal of Rs 50 crore for budget allocation and are hoping for a positive response in the budget session," he said.