Karnataka State Human Rights Commission Justice Committee member Suresh Vantigodi interacting with students at the government hostel in Koppal on Friday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) Justice Commissioner Suresh Vantigodi directed officials to ensure that all children staying in government-run hostels get all the facilities provided to them under government schemes and that no student faces any hardship.
He said this after inspecting the welfare department-run girls’ hostel and the post-matriculation girls’ hostel functioning under the backward class welfare department in Koppal town on Friday. Later, he chaired a review meeting with officials of various departments at the government guest house.
Mr. Vantigodi said the inspection found that the hostels were functioning well and that the children were generally satisfied with the facility. However, he emphasized the need to maintain cleanliness, ensure access to safe drinking water and ensure nutritious food for all children. He also instructed the hostel management to provide hot water for bathing and set up separate changing rooms for girls in the post-matological hostels.
“Tahsildars should conduct surprise inspections of hostels regularly to check the quality of food and facilities provided to students. Security must be provided in hostels, roads leading to hostels should be properly maintained and street lights should be installed wherever necessary,” he said.
He further ordered that monthly health check-ups be conducted for all students. In overcrowded hostels, it is necessary to ensure that children are accommodated in other hostels. “Children must never be deprived of nutritious food or a prescribed diet,” he said.
Mr. Vantigodi also directed the police to create waiting rooms at all police stations for citizens who attend to complain. Similarly, he told the city council to ensure proper sanitation, drinking water supply and maintenance of public toilets.
The KSHRC member said his visit followed a suo motu case that had earlier started in the district and which is now settled. “The onus now lies with the concerned department officials to ensure that such issues do not recur,” he added.
Deputy Commissioner Suresh B. Itnal and Chief District and Sessions Judge Chandra Shekhar C., who is also the Chairperson of the District Legal Services Authority, welcomed Mr. Vantigodi at Koppal Inspectors’ Bungalow.
Published – 07 Nov 2025 19:30 IST
