The Weekly
Observer Volume 14 | Issue 12
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
One woman every hour assaulted on a Bangalore bus, admits BMTC Soumya Chatterjee
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lmost 500 women a month are assaulted on public buses, according to a new helpline. According to Bangalore Municipal Transport Corporation’s own statistics, 2,972 women were accosted on their buses in the first six months after the launch of the helpline. Shanta Das, BMTC Complaint Officer, said, “There has been a 28 % increase in eve teasing of
Vinod, BMTC conductor
women by conductors.” She added that no driver has been sacked but that five have been suspended. That means at least 25 women face harassment by staff every single day while using public transport. In a survey conducted last year by Bengaluru Bus Prayaanikara Vedike , a passenger forum, in 2012-13, of 2,647 women questioned in Bangalore, 1,803 cases of harassment in buses were reported. That means 69 per cent of the women reported being sexually harassed on buses. Vulgar language, staring pointedly, physical attacks such as touching, feeling, grabbing, indecently exposing, stalking, photography or shooting videos without consent were the major forms of harassment, according to the survey. The launch of this helpline in April may have
contributed to the spike, according to the BMTC. Most of the conductors harass women by inappropriate behaviour while collecting the fares, according to complaints received. Eve teasing is punishable under Section 298 (A) and (B) of Indian Penal Code which prescribes up to three months of imprisonment for making obscene gestures or remarks to a woman. Section 354 (IPC) is for those who use force or assault a woman to outrage her modesty. Shanta added, “Most women do not complain thinking it is trivial but since the Nirbhaya case, there has been a change in approach.” In a horrific incident on December 16 last year, a paramedic student Delhi was raped repeatedly and murdered by a group of men. She added: “We have a three-tier complaint response
Shanta Das, BMTC Complaint Officer system. The first step involves warning the alleged staff, followed by their suspension and then their termination from service. So far only one case that has come up to me and there has been no conviction. We can’t take actions on our own.” Mrinali Ghosh, a regular commuter, said, “Once I asked for change and the conductor passed lewd comments.” Neha Shankar, a CA student said, “Often when the buses are crowded, the conductors makes way through the ladies section, making us feel uncomfort-
able.” Govind, a conductor, said, “Not everybody is same. Sometimes things happen because of the crowd. I don’t do anything intentionally.” Jayaprakash L, Joint Chief Security and Vigilance officer at BMTC, said, “There have been two incidents where we have suspended five of our staff this year so far.” In March one driver and two supervisors were suspended and in May one driver and conductor were suspended for a minimum period of six months.
Underground workers remain hidden, afflicted by health issues Shruti Suresh Only 10 per cent of the people engaged in manual scavenging across the city are registered in government records. M. Venkatesh, State President of the Dalit Bahujan Movement said: “In Bangalore, there are around 2,000 people engaged in manual scavenging but only 202 have been registered by
the state government. Two months ago, we submitted a report with 100 additional names of people to be registered as manual scavengers but no action has been taken yet.” “Bodies like BBMP and BWSSB hire manual scavengers through contractors but they don’t take their responsibility. The reasons why a majority of them are not registered are because
A BBMP sweeper
they would have to rehabilitate them and enable schemes for their welfare,” added Venkatesh. The workers suffer from health issues like skin infections, asthma, kidney and liver problems, infertility, respiratory problems, reproductive tract infections, cardiac issues and blindness. Manimala, 33, who worked as a manual scavenger for 10 years, said: “I
have wheezing and thyroid. I faced liver damage, kidney failure, eye problems, Tuberculosis and jaundice due to the work I did.” Akhila Vasan, 44, an activist with the People’s Health Movement in Bangalore said: “Many of them depend on liquor for working. No person in his senses can work in such stink and garbage.” (Continued on page 3)
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Tuesday, October 14, 2014
The Weekly Observer
Suicide rates fall as calls to helpline double Sharangee Dutta The number of people calling a suicide helpline in the city has almost doubled in the past two years. Sahai, Bangalore’s first suicide prevention helpline, rescued several emotionally distressed people from all over India. Lata M. Jacob, Clinical Manager of Medico Pastoral Association that runs Sahai, said: “The distressed people feel there is no other way than killing themselves. The feeling is so overwhelming that it takes over their thinking process.” She claimed that relationships, financial issues and health issues are the three most important causes of suicides. The helpline received 1,083 calls from suicidal people until March this year. The numbers saw a rise from last year, when
984 calls were received and also from 2012, when the number was 590. Out of the 1,083 calls, 49 were from youths. However, the suicide rates have fallen. According to reports by SCRB (State Crime Records Bureau), 11,266 people committed suicide in Karnataka in 2013 and 12,753 people in 2012. ‘Sahai’ which means ‘one who helps’ was launched on October 2, 2002 by NIMHANS (National Institute of Medical Health and Mental Sciences), Rotary East and MPA (Medico Pastoral Association). In 2010, according to a report, it was found that Sahai lacked volunteers. However, Jacob said that the problem has been solved since then. She claimed that people from all walks of life come forward to volunteer. A theoretical training for six days
Lata M. Jacob, Clinical Manager of MPA, Bangalore is started after they have enrolled followed by a practical training where they are taught how to talk to the callers. Captain Akku Pahlajani, coordinator of Sahai, said: “The volunteers don’t get paid. They serve the society with complete will and ded-
ication.” Mahrook Lalkaka, who has been working as a volunteer in the helpline for ten years, said, “It gives me immense satisfaction to provide whatever little help I could give to the distressed people.” Lalkaka claimed that they
have received a few hoax calls as well. She added: “They come across the helpline in either newspapers or on the internet and simply call for the sake of it. Neither their problems seem real nor do they show any improvements over time.” Jacob said that many callers had visited them after coming out of their suicidal phase. She added, “We have 15 psychiatrists from NIMHANS, St. Martha’s and many other hospitals who belong to the admission panel of Sahai.” She said if any caller is in need of counselling, Sahai refers them to these doctors. Marking the World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, Sahai arranged a campaign where several people from various fields assembled to raise awareness.
Lake needs lakhs after ex-mayor’s broken promise Tushar Kaushik A lake which a former mayor pledged to clean up almost a year ago is still lying in a state of neglect. The Kempambudhi lake has been in a bad condition for several years. When the ex-mayor, B. S. Satyanarayana, inspected the lake in December 2013, he had made promises to clean and restore it. However, the lake is still contaminated. M.G. Ramachandra, a local, said: “All the water flowing into the lake is sewage water, without getting treated. There is only one treatment plant which is used to provide water for maintenance of a park adjoining
the lake.” Another local, Raju, confirmed that sewage water was flowing untreated into the lake. Prakash, a local shopkeeper in the area, talked about the ex-mayor’s visit. He said that the former mayor had promised to allocate Rs. 50 lakhs for development of the lake. He said: “Nothing has been done in this regard. The sewage water directly flows into the river. There is only one treatment plant here and that is used to treat water for a deer park nearby. Even water from a nearby slum enters the lake untreated. ” A dhobi ghat, which is a place where laundry is done
B.S.Satyanarayana in bulk, is situated right beside the lake. Siddaiah, a launderer, recalled the exmayor’s visit. He admitted that discharge from the laundry goes into the lake unchecked. Another launderer, Venkatachala, too admitted to the same. Prakash, a resident near the lake, blamed a nearby slum for many of the problems. He said: “The slum is
dirty and unclean, and people defecate openly.” He spoke about the former mayor’s visit, and said that there hadn’t been any improvement since his visit. Laxmigowda Nityananda Anand, Deputy Chief Engineer of the water board for Bangalore, explained about the main problems that the lake faces. He said: “Firstly, there is too much silt in the lake. Secondly, untreated sewage flows into it. Thirdly, natural water channels which flow into the lake get encroached upon, and fourthly, lake area also gets encroached upon.” Anand said that this encroachment might not be recognized on looking at
the lake, since they will be a little far from the water body. He also suggested a measure that could be taken to restore the lake. He said: “After de-silting the lake, the silt itself could be used to create an island at the centre. This has been successfully implemented in other lakes too. “ Satyanarayana said, "I had commissioned Rs. 1 crore at the time. I can only allocate funds and direct people to do what is required. If local corporators are not implementing it then what can I do? I can't keep going to the lake." He said he hasn’t visited the lake since December 2013, but the encroachments have been cleared.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
The Weekly Observer
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Thefts and rowdies plague old age home Ridhi Agrawal An old age home is in crisis after three workers were accused of theft and rowdies turned the home's garden into a drinking den. Three committee members meant to look after Christu Seva Samaj Anatha Ashramam were accused of pocketing funds sent for the home. The inmates at Christu Old Age home on Old Cement Road were being lured into drinking and smoking by rowdies who reside in the same premises. Dr.. Abraham Natesan, the manager, said: “The inmates have the tendency to drink after work. I have strongly warned the inmates. If they indulge in such ac-
tivities, I will call the doctor and check if they are intoxicated. If found guilty, they will have to move out of the home." “This organization is surviving on donor funds received only from Bangalore. There was a committee of 11 members set up to run the place. Three members were pocketing around Rs.10,000 each from the funds received from the donors for eight months. They even took some sugar and coffee given by the donors,” Natesan said. He added: “Those members would often entice the donors against Christu saying that he is dishonest. The committee has been dissolved and there is an ongoing case against those members. The court hearing
Dr. Abraham Natesan and Brother Christu Raj is on the 20th of October. The members will be asked to explain what they did with the funds. Based on their explanation, punishment will be given.” Brother Christu Raj has been managing the home for the last 18 years with the help of Bishop Francis Jackson and Dr. Abraham Natesan. The Ashram currently has 27 women and 25 men
above 60 years of age. Christu Raj said, “In the last 18 years, I have seen 86 people from this old age home die because of old age or illness.” Bangalore police contacts the organization when old people are found on the streets, railway stations or bus stops from where they are brought here. MICO, a Bosch initiative, sponsors the inmates with
Shruti Suresh (Continued from page 1) “Their work is carried on by the next generation. Depending on alcohol to carry out their jobs just adds to these issues.” she added. Prabhu, 30, worked as manual scavenger for 14 years. He said: “There is no way we could work without alcohol. We were paid for 8 hours work but made to work for 10 hours.” Venkatesh said: “These people consume alcohol before and after doing their job. Major chunk of their earnings is spent on buying alcohol.” Ramachandran, 37, an activist working with Janasahodaya, said: “They are supposed to receive over Rs. 7,000 a month, but they end up getting a little more than Rs. 5,000. They aren’t provided homes by the state’s slum department and don’t
BBMP sweeper, Pushpalata with her daughters. have permanent jobs.” “Manual scavenging activities leads to many health problems which reduce their life span to an average of 45 years,” Ramachandran added. In September, Sridhar Nagarajappa, 20, and Bandri Marappa, 22, died due to suffocation in a manhole they had gone to clean in. Both of them were hired by Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).
Ramachadran said: “The Supreme Court in March passed a rule according to which the family of the deceased has to be paid Rs. 10 lakhs. The primary employer has to be punished in such a case as entering a sewer without safety gear is prohibited by law.” “No care is taken before employing these people to clean sewers and manholes. The contractor paid Rs. 5 lakhs to each of the families of the deceased, but they
are yet to receive the compensation from the government,” he added. A sweeper with the City Municipality Corporation (CMC), Pushpalatha, said that she has not been paid for the last three months. Her daughters had to drop out from school due to unpaid fees. According to Ramachandran, these people have no work or life security. In the deaths that happened in September, the government is
free lunch every day. Christu Raj, also a social worker has shelled out money from his own pocket many times to meet the medical expenses because of the lack of funds. Some doctors conduct monthly free health checkups and provide them with tablets and injections if required. Abraham added: “The doctors of Bowring hospital show no respect when inmates are taken to them during emergencies.” Anthony, an inmate said: “I have been here for the past 8 years. We take turns to wash clothes and clean the mess. We help each other and get our work done. I
also monitor all the activities of the inmates. I am happy here and so are the inmates.” yet to arrest anyone. He added: “Their health problems leave a life-long impact. Also, the caste based discrimination leaves their children in the same place as them. They have BPL cards, but the benefits such as ration do not reach them. They should receive a salary equal to that of class IV employees in the nation.” According to him, there has been no change in the ir living conditions despite Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 being passed. Sweepers and cleaners are engaged in manual scavenging without any safety gear or precautions. “The police employ a lot of them to do the menial jobs. The real threat lies there, when they’re forced to do such things by the protectors of the law,” he adds.
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Tuesday, October 14, 2014
The Weekly Observer
Unclaimed and forgotten: burying the dead at Rs. 30 a corpse BPL patients denied benefits in funding gap C.L.Ramakrishnan
Suharika Rachavelpula
There has been a steady increase in the number of bodies remaining unclaimed at Victoria Hospital, according to staff. The number of unclaimed dead bodies autopsied this year from January to June is 294 while in 2013, it was 517. A forensic expert from Victoria Hospital, who didn’t want to be named, said, “We receive around 40-45 unclaimed dead bodies every month.” She added, “Usually these cases come under the Medico Legal cases which are medical cases with legal implications for the attending doctor, where the doctor examining the patient finds some investigation by law enforcement agencies to be essential.” She said: “When the police find an unknown body in a locality, they approach the media and provide details of the unidentified body. If no one comes to claim them even after three days, the police provide us with requisition form 146(1) and 146(2) from the police manual and we conduct the autopsy. Once the autopsy is done we handover the report and the unclaimed body to police.” Another Forensic Expert
There is a huge gulf between state funds being allocated and the money required by government hospitals to function in Bangalore. Victoria Hospital, which receives around Rs. 31 lakhs per month, needs a sum of at least Rs. 40 lakhs per day for medicines alone, according to hospital staff. Rahamathulla, Medicines in-charge at the Bangalore Medical College, responsible for allocation of funds, said: “The government divides the funds received by various hospitals through us.” “The funds allocated to Victoria Hospital are around Rs. 3.75 crore per annum for medicines and Rs. 1 crore for medical equipment. Bowring Hospital receives 3.7 crore for medicines and Rs. 5.5 crore for medical equipments.” The lack of medicines and equipment in government hospitals is forcing Below Poverty Line (BPL) patients to turn to private hospitals. They then lose the 50 per cent discount they are entitled to. Rahamathulla added, “Protocol says doctors working in government hospitals should not suggest patients to go to private centres for diagnosis.” Hospitals also lack medicines in their stores. Abhi, son of patient Bhagyamma in Victoria hospital, said: “Only one or two out of 10 medicines were provided in this hospital. The rest were bought from other medical shops and were costly.” He added, “I paid Rs.
Dept of Forensic Medicine at Victoria Hospital from Victoria Hospital said: “Many unclaimed bodies are of homeless people and of the ones living on railway platforms. “We receive more unclaimed bodies during summer because of extreme heat,” he said. Mr. Radhakrishnan (48), a sanitary worker, said: “I have been working here for six years. Every year we receive more unclaimed bodies than the previous year. At times we receive 4 to 5 of them a day. Most of them are of men.” He added, “As autopsy is done after 3 or 4 days, these bodies turn hard in the cadaver cabinets. We sprinkle hot water and keep them under the fan so that these preserved bodies lose their hardness. The autopsy is then conducted by the doctors. The body is cleaned, packed and handed over to the police after clearing all formalities.” Police from Victoria Hospital Police Station said: “As
no one is aware of the medical history and medical complications of these unidentified bodies, they come under the Medico legal Cases. We reach out to the addresses in case one is found. If the body remains unclaimed after three days, we go on with the autopsy, after which the body is handed over to Mr. Trivikrama Mahadeva, the undertaker who buries the body in the Burial Ground on Mysore Road.” “Government of Karnataka allots Rs. 200 as burial charge for every unclaimed dead body that we pay to the undertaker. The law allows only burial of unclaimed bodies and not their cremation”, added the police. Trivikrama Mahadeva, an undertaker, said, “Out of the Rs. 200 I get for burying the bodies in the burial grounds, I am left only with Rs. 30 after the burial after spending Rs. 170 for the burial charges.”
Abhi with a biopsy gun 2,500 for a biopsy gun for my mother as it was not provided by the hospital.” Raghu, a pharmacist at Victoria hospital, said: “Cost of all medicines required by the patients would be Rs. 40 lakhs per day which the government does not provide us.” Dr. Sharmista, a cardiologist at Victoria Hospital said, “We provide Computerized Tomography (CT) scan but we suggest our patients to go out for MRI scans.” Abhi said: “My mother was taken for a blood scan to private centres as this hospital did not have scan facilities.” The treatment cost him Rs. 5000. Mr Rahamathulla added: “Scanning centres in hospitals also work according to timings. During emergencies, patients have had to go to private diagnostic centres.” Prakash, in charge of the scanning department at Victoria Hospital, claimed that there is no problem there. He added that patients who have BPL cards are being given 50 per cent discount. Afshan, duty officer at Asian Diagnosis Centre, said: “About 40 to 50 patients come here each day from Victoria and Vanivilas Hospital of which three patients come for MRI scans, which cost Rs. 10,000.”
OBSERVER Team: Editor - Ridhi Agrawal, Chief Sub Editor - C.L. Ramakrishnan, News Editor - Sharangee Dutta , Sub Editors - Soumya Chatterjee, Vignesh S.G, News Desk- Sameer Deshpande, Design Head - Samreen Tungekar, Design Desk - Saheli Sen Gupta, Shalini Raja, R. Suharika, Picture Editor - Sreemoyee Chatterjee, Reporter- Tushar Kaushik, Proofreaders - Shruti Suresh, Subhash Arvind.