Date:04/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/04/stories/2006040404870400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Teachers need have no apprehensions'

Staff Reporter

Decision on ex gratia payment will be taken expeditiously: Government

No time will be wasted in addressing the matter, Council told

Members call for strict action against those who throw acid on women

BANGALORE: High-school teachers who are demanding that they also be given the Rs. 200 ex gratia payment announced for primary school teachers need not have any apprehensions about being left out. They must begin evaluating SSLC examination answer papers so that students' interests are not jeopardised, the Government has said.

Responding to the matter raised by Puttanna (Janata Dal-S) and others, Leader of the House and Higher Education Minister D.H. Shankaramurthy said no time will be wasted in addressing the matter and a reply will be provided as soon as possible.

Action sought

Jalaja Naik (Congress) and Vimala Gowda (BJP) urged the Government to consider booking under the Goonda Act culprits who throw acid on unsuspecting women.

Ms. Jalaja Naik said victims, invariably women, have no means to pay for their treatment, and are invariably left scarred for life.

Ms. Vimala Gowda said there have been 27 cases of acid attack in the last five years but not a single conviction.

Mr. Ramachandra Gowda assured the House that the suggestion to book the culprits under the Goonda Act will be considered.

Heritage building

L. Hanumanthaiah (Congress) said the house of the noted Kannada litterateur A.N. Krishna Rao in Visvesvarapuram in Bangalore is in a shambles and has been turned into an automobile garage.

The Government must retrieve this precious piece of heritage and consider turning it into a museum or a library, he said.

Mr. Shankaramurthy assured him that he will broach the subject with Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Mr. Yediyurappa and inform the House about any decision taken in the matter.