Bangalore: The allegations made by trainees of the National Association for the Blind, Karnataka Branch, are baseless, B.S. Prithviraj, honorary general secretary of the association, said on Tuesday.

Addressing presspersons here, he said the demands of the trainees included job placement within three months, a room for the alumni association and 50 per cent reservation of posts for the visually impaired in the government council for the blind.

Mr. Prithviraj said that none of the women trainees had come forward to identify the persons who were allegedly sexually harassing them.

"The allegation is being made only by the male trainees. We cannot take any action unless `victims' come forward and identify the perpetrators," he said.

He said the allegations of misappropriation of funds were baseless. "The accounts books can be checked. We have nothing to hide. All the money has been accounted for."

A batch of trainees who completed their one-year vocational training course had refused to vacate their accommodation on the association premises unless their demands were met. "This amounts to trespassing. Although the management has assured the trainees that their demands will be considered and steps taken through a proper procedure, the trainees are refusing to vacate the premises," he said.

T.V. Ranganathan, honorary treasurer, said the willingness of several international organisations to lend a helping hand proved the credibility of the association.

Training suspended

Mr. Prithviraj said the management had decided to suspend training for the new batch until the situation returned to normality.

"The older trainees were trying to stop members of the new batch from attending the classes. They also tried to turn them against the management. The management is to blame for letting the situation go out of control," he added.

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