Budget must strengthen safety, health for women: Women panel chief

Mangaluru: Karnataka State Commission for Women Chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary said the upcoming budget to be presented by chief minister Siddaramaiah should be favourable to women. "There should be more mother and child hospitals. All hospitals should have basic facilities, and all doctors should have access to them. We expect women's hostels, security, safety, and bus facilities in backward districts," she said.Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Choudhary said she is touring the state, and this was her 26th district visit. "Everywhere, I raised legal awareness among women and students, collected information and problems, and submitted reports to the CM and chief secretary. I personally discussed sensitive issues with the CM and arranged for calls to DCs to resolve problems," she said.
Earlier, during an interaction with students of Govt First Grade Women's College, Balmatta, she appreciated their prompt response to questions about the women's helpline and police helpline numbers. She said awareness among Mangaluru's children is high, but stressed the need for further legal knowledge.On Wednesday night, she inspected KSRTC bus stand in the city. She said the high-tech toilets, drinking water facility, police patrolling, check posts, and 21 CCTV cameras are all in good condition. She suggested reinstalling cradles removed from the mother-child room and displaying helpline numbers on all buses.On the SIT probe into Dharmasthala mass burial case, Choudhary said the Commission sought a report on missing or deaths of women, which the VS Ugrappa and Jayamala reports also mentioned. "It is a fact that women were missing. We sought an investigation to know what happened to them. The Commission sent a letter to the govt seeking an investigation in this direction. We have to wait for the report to be submitted as the case is pending in the court," she said.