Opposition members in the State Assemby on Friday targeted the State Government for reports of minor tribal girls being sexually assaulted in SC and ST Development Department-run residential schools and sought that a safety and healthy environment be provided to all girls in hostels.
Initiating discussion on an Adjournment Motion, BJP member Mohan Charan Majhi said the SC and ST Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Minister’ recent statement that a girl in a school in Khurda
district got pregnant after having relationship with a neighbour in her village was just eyewash.
“What about the incident in which a school headmaster was arrested for raping a minor girl in Keonjhar district on Thursday. Earlier, a former Minister had revealed in this House that 20 girls had been subjected to sexual assault during five years in which eight teachers were involved,” ridiculed Majhi.
He alleged that the Government has given least importance on the development of SC and the ST from the fact that the Department was given a Minister of State instead of a Cabinet Minister.
Another BJP member Mekesh Mahalinga alleged that girls of some residential schools are going to outside to attend call of nature and cleanse themselves, which is a clear violation of human rights.
He alleged girls are living in unhygienic conditions in many hostels. He said quality foods and sanitary napkins are not being provided to girls.
Dasarathy Gomang and Tara Prasad Bahinipati of the Congress too made such allegations.
However, BJD members Dr Pramod Kumar Mallick, Bhagirathi Sethi and Srikant Kumar Sahu refuted the charges saying all measures have been taken by the State Government to provide a secured and healty environment to girls in hostels.
In his reply, Minister Jagannath Saraka said over six lakh girls and bodys belonging to SC and ST categories are now studying in 1,670 schools run by the SC and ST Development Department. As many as 3,000 matrons and 336 ANMs have been appointed to provide security and conduct regular health checkups in 6,500 hostels.
Toll-free numbers have been provided to girls to lodge complaints to higher authorities and a 24-hour control rook is also working to deal with their grievances. The State Government has taken all measures to provide to a safe and healthy environment to girls in hostels.