Mangaluru: Heated exchanges between the ruling party and the Opposition marked the district-level Youth Parliament competition held in Mangaluru, where students took up several pressing public issues, including the proposed 400 kV power transmission line, the growing drug menace near educational institutions, scholarships and the challenges faced by government school teachers.
Organised as part of the International Day of Democracy celebrations, the programme was jointly conducted by the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat and the Departments of Social Welfare, School Education and Literacy, Higher Education, and Law, Justice and Human Rights.
The competition provided students with an opportunity to experience parliamentary proceedings, raise public concerns, question government policies and engage in debates on issues affecting society. The discussions reflected the participants’ understanding of environmental protection, education, public safety and governance.
Youth Parliament begins with tribute to S Janaki
The session began with the House paying tribute to legendary playback singer S. Janaki, who passed away recently. Following the tribute, the proceedings commenced with Question Hour, during which members of the Opposition raised several issues requiring responses from the ruling party.
The proceedings closely followed the format of a legislative assembly, with students taking up the roles of the Speaker, Chief Minister, ministers and Opposition members.
The exchanges between the two sides brought out differing perspectives on public issues, while the Speaker intervened whenever discussions became prolonged or heated.
Proposed 400 kV transmission line sparks environmental debate
One of the major issues raised during Question Hour was the proposed 400 kV power transmission line passing through Udupi, Moodbidri and Kasaragod.
The Leader of the Opposition expressed concern over the potential environmental consequences of the project, particularly the destruction of forest cover and the felling of trees along the proposed route.
She pointed out that 8,145 trees had already been identified for felling, raising questions about the impact of the project on the environment and surrounding agricultural areas.
Responding on behalf of the Forest Minister, the Chief Minister appreciated the Opposition’s concern for environmental protection but maintained that the transmission line would not cause environmental damage.
The exchange intensified as the Opposition continued to press its concerns over the project.
The Speaker subsequently intervened, observing that there was no need for an extended discussion on a single issue after the ruling party had already provided its response.
The debate highlighted the challenges involved in balancing infrastructure development and environmental conservation, particularly when large transmission projects pass through agricultural and forest areas.
Drug menace near educational institutions raised
The growing availability and sale of narcotic substances near educational institutions was another important issue taken up by the student representatives.
The Opposition expressed concern over the increasing drug menace and demanded stringent measures to prevent the sale of narcotic substances in areas frequented by students.
Responding to the concerns, the Chief Minister said the Home Department was closely monitoring the situation. Police personnel were conducting inspections around educational institutions to identify and prevent drug sales.
He said the government was committed to curbing drug abuse and ensuring the safety of students.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the role of awareness campaigns in addressing the problem. Social media reels and street plays were being used to educate young people about the harmful consequences of drug consumption.
The discussion brought attention to the importance of combining enforcement measures with awareness programmes to prevent substance abuse among students.
Government school teachers’ working conditions discussed
The condition of government school teachers also came under scrutiny during the Youth Parliament proceedings.
A member raised concerns over alleged delays in the payment of teachers’ salaries and the additional responsibilities assigned to them beyond regular teaching duties.
The member argued that these factors were making working conditions increasingly difficult for teachers and could affect their ability to concentrate on classroom instruction.
Responding to the concerns, the minister said initiatives had been undertaken to repair classrooms and improve the quality of life of teachers.
The discussion highlighted the need to address infrastructure gaps in government schools while ensuring that teachers receive adequate support and a conducive working environment.
Students experience parliamentary debate and democratic processes
The district-level Youth Parliament competition offered students a practical understanding of democratic institutions and legislative procedures.
By assuming parliamentary roles and debating issues from different perspectives, participants experienced the process of questioning the government, presenting arguments, responding to criticism and maintaining order during discussions.
The range of subjects taken up during the session reflected concerns extending beyond classrooms, with students engaging with issues related to infrastructure, environmental protection, law enforcement and public education.
The programme was attended by DDPI Shashidhar, Social Welfare Department Deputy Director Hemalatha and other officials during the inaugural session.
The Youth Parliament served as a platform for young participants to understand the responsibilities of elected representatives and the importance of constructive debate in a democracy. The discussions also demonstrated how students can engage with public issues and develop awareness of the challenges involved in governance and policy decisions.