*October 22, 2010*
*Mysore, Oct. 22 *(KMC)- State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Chairman Justice S.R. Nayak, who visited the Destitutes' Rehabilitation Centre yesterday, expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of cleanliness and hygiene at the Centre, though he seemed to be satisfied with the overall maintenance, despite hurdles like funds and staff shortage and lack of infrastructure. Nayak, accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr. C.G. Betsurmath and District Officer for Backward Classes and Minorities Mayadevi Galagali, spoke to some of the inmates, inspected the dormitories, kitchen, toilet and other places and instructed the Centre's Superintendent Chandrappa Gokak to maintain cleanliness. Noticing that many among the inmates were mentally retarded, Nayak expressed concern over the mental health of other inmates who were mentally sound and directed the officials to segregate them. Speaking to the media later, Nayak pointed out that most of the inmates in all 14 such Centres in the State needed advanced medical care and opined that at least one Super-Speciality Hospital be set up, where the sick and ailing destitutes could be treated, especially for contagious diseases, so that others do not get affected. Stating that it was the primary duty of the State Government to take care of the destitutes, Nayak said, "When you take away the liberty of a person, though for a justified cause, it becomes your duty to provide basic amenities to that person." Nayak directed the officials to provide him a detailed list of all the inmates, along with their addresses in a tabulated form and also to correspond with the gove-rnment with regard to the inmates come from outside the State, so that they can be sent back to their respective States and if possible, united with their families. Emphasising on the need to send the inmates back to their families, Nayak suggested that their photos be published in the newspapers, so that their family members may learn of their whe-reabouts and take them home. Pointing out a clause in the law against begging and detaining the beggars in rehabilitation centres, under which they cannot be detained for more than one year, Nayak said that efforts should be made to see that they do not revert to begging, but rejoin their family members or even attain skills to eke out a living. Regarding staff shortage, Nayak said the problem existed in all the departments. About lack of funds, he said the term "financial constraints" had become a "perennial raga" of the government. *No politics please* Justice Nayak, who tried to avoid commenting on political issues raised by some scribes, after lot of persuasion, lambasted the typical mentality of the lack of concern towards Indian polity and blamed the citizens for being indifferent and not exercising their franchise which is their basic right. "Those entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the common man are neglecting their duties and are engaged elsewhere (in resorts etc.)," said Nayak and rued that the elected representatives had become inaccessible to the people who elected them, holding the entire State to ransom. At the Central Jail Justice Nayak, who later paid a surprise visit to the District Central Jail here, noticed the lack of space for the inmates and opined that it led to mental trauma leading to the increase in the number of deaths in the prison. The jail, having a capacity of 538 prisoners, presently has an additional strength of 1036, not only creating the problem of lack of space, but also staff shortage. He enquired about the facilities provided to jail inmates and expressed concern over several prisoners lodged in a common prison room. He spotted a juvenile confined in the jail and directed the prison officials to send the boy to the juvenile home. Jail Superintendent Lakshminarayan, Jailor C. Jogaiah and others were present. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
