DHARWAD: Deputy Commissioner M.S. Srikar has decided to constitute five special teams to conduct regular inspection of residential hostels for the mentally and physically challenged persons in the district.

The Deputy Commissioner took this decision at an emergency meeting called on Wednesday in the wake of complaints about ill-treating of disabled children at two residential hostels in the twin cities and newspaper reports regarding the conditions of such hostels.

Mr. Srikar told The Hindu that there were 25 such homes for the physically and the mentally challenged persons in the district, which were either run by the Government or through aid from the Union and State Governments.

The special teams would look at general hygiene, food stock, food served to the beneficiaries, bedding and clothing provided to them. "The idea is to improve the condition of these hostels, and also to take measures if there are any lapses," Mr. Srikar said.

He said Assistant Commissioner Mohan Sasanur would head the special teams, which would comprise two members each. Officials of Women and Child Welfare and Revenue departments would be part of the teams. The services of probationary officers would be utilised, he said.

These teams would report regarding the grievances of employees working in the hostels, he said.

Inspection

Joint Director of Women and Child Welfare Fathima visited a home for the mentally challenged girls at Unkal in Hubli in the evening to assess the ground realities there. She had come to Hubli following an instruction from Minister for Women and Child Welfare H.K. Kumaraswamy.

She and two officials inspected the hostel premises and enquired with the hostel staff. She would submit a report to the Government on Friday.

On Tuesday, Ghanashyam Bhandge, president of the Uttara Karnataka Angavikalara Samsthe, had gone to the residential hostel at Unkal to distribute fruits as part of the Independence Day celebrations.

After coming to know of the poor condition first-hand, he reportedly questioned the staff which resulted in a heated argument. The hostel superintendent has filed a police complaint against Mr. Bhandge and a few others.

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