THE KARNATAKA DEVADASI (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION, RELIEF AND REHABILITATION) BILL, 2025
A Bill to conscientise society about the practice of dedicating women as devasasis, liberate oppressed devadasi women from all forms of exploitation, her children from social taboo through empowerment, to hold their biologicalfathers responsible in special law, provide for conclusive proof of paternity in this regard, facilitate effective and comprehensive rehabilitation of the victims by the State and promote measures for the total abolition of the Devadasi system in the State of Karnataka.
Whereas it is necessary to conscientise society about the practice of dedicating women as devasasis, liberate oppressed devadasi women from all forms of exploitation, her children from social taboo through empowerment, to hold their biological fathers responsible in special law, provide for conclusive proof of paternity in this regard, facilitate effective and comprehensive rehabilitation of the victims by the State and promote measures for the total abolition of the Devadasi system in the State of Karnataka.
Be it enacted by the Karnataka State Legislature in the Seventy fifth Year of the Republic of India as follows namely:-
CHAPTER-I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title extent, and commencement. (1) This Act may be called the Karnataka Devadasis (Prevention, Prohibition, Relief, and Rehabilitation) Act, 2025.
(2) It extends to the whole State of Karnataka..
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by notification appoint.
2. Definitions. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) "conscientisation" means the process of unpacking dominant and oppressive thought currently prevailing in the devadasi system which results from the issues of power in relation to privilege and oppression in different spheres of influence;
(b) "dedication" means the performance of any act or ceremony, by whatever name called, by which a woman is dedicated to the service of any deity, idol, object of worship, temple, other religious institutions or places of worship, including the following rituals associated with dedication namely:-
(i) muttukattu, i.e. the ceremony tying the muttu chain on the neck of the devadasi;
(ii) mudrehakuvudu, i.e., the ceremony of symbolic tattooing or branding;
(iii) hunaligemelittusuduvudu, i.e. keeping a flower on the tongue and burning it;
(iv) devarigebiduvudu, which is another name for dedication;
(v) bettaleseve, i.e, the naked procession carried out as part of the dedication;
( (vii) joga or jogwa, i.e. the custom of ritual begging with a basket usually on
vi) jaditumbuvadu, i.e. the deflowering ceremony completed after dedication;
Tuesdays and Fridays.
(c) "devadasi" means a womandedicatedwith rituals specified in clause (b) and also referred to as Jogtin,, Rajadasi, Alankaradasi, Rudradasi, Devasule, Jogathi, Basavi, Nithyasumangali, Bhavin, Devali, Nayakasani, Rangasani, Gangasani, Muttukattikondavalu, Devarasule, Kasabi, Patradavalu, Jogins or by any other name. With regards to any subjective or factual inconsistency in definition of devadasi or in the rituals and practices used for identification, the Taluk Committee shall decide the same. Some identifying features, which provide supplementary, but not stand-alone evidence of devadasi practises include, -
(i) jat, i.e. matted hair;
(ii) darshan or muttu, i.e. string of beads worn around the neck or wrist;
( iii) paradi or jag, i.e. hand-held bamboo basket used as begging basket;
(iv) suti-choundakorchowdki, i.e. a chord music instrument; and
(v) bhandara, i.e. yellow powder applied to the forehead;
( d) "devadasi children" means child of devadasi, of any age, whether legitimate or illegitimate;
(e) "devadasi family" consists of and is limited to devadasi and lineal descendants of devadasi up to second generation i.e., devadasi children and her grandchildren;
(f) "District Committee" means District Committee for Vigilance and Implementation constituted under section 17;
(g) "free education" means that no member of the devadasi family shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her from pursuing and completing elementary, higher education, vocational, Technical professional education, etc.;
(h) "land" means agricultural land, that is to say, land which is used or capable of being used for agricultural purposes or purposes subservient thereto and includes horticultural land, forest land, garden land, pasture land, plantation. and tope but does not include house-site or land used exclusively for non-agricultural purposes;
(i) "notification" means a notification published in the Official Gazette of Karnataka; (j) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(k) "promote" means toinitiate into, draw into, facilitate and encourage by overt or covert deeds, the dedication of women as devadasis openly or in a clandestine manner, either by way of financial assistance or compulsion orby forcible persuasion or by brain-washing or omitting to perform duties mandated under thisAct;
(1) "propagate" means whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise, promotes or attempts to promote any content in support of devadasi practice;
(m) "rules" means rules made under this Act;
(n) "schedule" mean the schedules appended to this Act;
(o) "State Committee" means State Committee for Vigilance and Implementation as constituted under section 21:
(p) "Taluk Committee" means Taluk Committee for Vigilance and Implementation as constituted under section 13;
(q) "temple" means a place by whatever designation known, used as a place of public religious worship having separate existence and dedicated to, or for the benefit of, or used as of right by the Hindu community, or any section thereof as a place of public religious worship, and includes a Mandira, Devasthana, Gudi, Samadhi, Gaddige, Shrine, Subshrine, Utsava Mantapa, tank or other appurtenances.
3. General Principles. The State Government, the Committees constituted under this Act and other agencies, as the case may be, while implementing the provisions of the Act shall be guided by the following fundamental principles, namely:-
(i) Principle of conscientisation: To liberate both the oppressor and oppressed from the victimisation of the devadasi system through consciousness raising.
(ii) Principle of presumption of innocence: No criminal intent shall be attributed to a devadasi woman for any customary practice which she voluntarily or involuntarily may have been drawn into, with reference to the provisions of this Act.
(iii) Principle of participation: The children of devdasis shall have a right to be heard and to participate in all processes and decisions affecting their interest and their views shall be taken into consideration.
(iv) Positive measures: All resources are to be mobilised, including those of state and community, for promoting the well being, facilitating development of identity and providing an inclusive and enabling environment, to reduce vulnerabilities of devadasis and her family, and the need for intervention under this Act.
(v) Principle of right to privacy and confidentiality: Every devadasi and her child shall have a right to protection of their privacy and confidentiality, by all means and throughout the judicial process.
CHAPTER-II RIGHTS OF DEVADASI FAMILY
4. Coverage under this Act.-The protections and benefits under this Act shall apply to the immediate family or household of a devadasi for livelihood or welfare, as assessed and verified by the Taluk committee.
Explanation: For the purposes of this section, the term immediate family or household shall be limited to those persons residing with or directly dependent on the devadasi at the time of commencement of this Act or those who can demonstrate continuing socio-economic impact due to the devadasi system.
5. Rights of a child to identify the father.- (1) Any child born to a devadasi shall have the right to ascertain the identity of the father. Such child may approach the taluk Committee to apply for recognition of such a paternal bond. If the biological father acknowledges such relationship in writing, the application may then be presented before the District Committee where the father must once again overtly and in writing acknowledge such a relationship.
(2) Upon refusal by the father to acknowledge paternal relationship, an application may be made to the District Court. The Court may review existing evidence and direct the use of biochemical tests such as the Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test to ascertain the paternity of the person, the child has reason to believe is his biological father. The District Legal Services Authority shall provide free legal aid and assistance to such a child.
6. Right to Maintenance. The child of a devadasi, or the devadasi acting on behalf of such a child, shall have the right to apply for maintenance under applicable provisions of law, including but not limited to the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
(Central Act 46 of 2023) or any law that may replace or supplement it. Such applications shall be considered in accordance with law, based on evidence and circumstances presented before the competent court. The right to maintenance may be claimed by a male child until he attains majority, and by a female child until she attains majority or married.
7. Presumption of Legitimacy. For all purposes any child born to devadasi shall be deemed to be a legitimate child..
8. Right to Property. The child of a devadasi shall be entitled to inherit and succeed to the property of both parents. The person indicated as father under this section will retain his right to disprove such a claim of paternity through appropriate biochemical evidence.
9. Right to Dignity of Devadasi Family. No child born to a devadasi shall be discriminated against on the basis that the father is unknown. The State shall ensure that no child of a devadasi is compelled to declare the name of their father when applying for key public goods such as education, health and identity cards such
as licenses, passport, PAN card, ration card, etc. Administrative reforms shall be undertaken at all levels to ensure that the field for father's name is not mandatory for submission of any application.
10. Right to Healthcare. The State shall protect the right of every devadasi woman to good health and wellness. Every devadasi family upon identification, shall be entitled to a State sponsored integrated health check-up for all common health issues including but not limited to cardiac and pulmonary issues, anaemia and certain chronic and acute diseases incidental to marginalization and sex work such as venereal and viral diseases.
CHAPTER-III
PREVENTION AND PROHIBITION
11. Prohibition.- Notwithstanding any custom or law to the contrary, the dedication of a woman as a devadasi, whether before or after the commencement of thisAct, and whether she has consented to such dedication or not, is hereby declared unlawful, and any woman so dedicated shall not thereby be deemed to have become incapable of entering into a valid marriage.
12. Prevention of dedication. (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Act, if on an application of the devadasi Prohibition and Rehabilitation Officer or the Taluk Committee or State Committee, an Executive Magistrate is satisfied that a dedication in contravention of the provisions of thisAct, has been arranged or is about to be solemnised, such Magistrate shall issue a prohibitory injunction against any person including a member of an organisation or an association of persons prohibiting or restraining from such dedication.
(2) An application or a complaint under sub-section (1), may be made by any person having personal knowledge or reason to believe or a non-governmental organization having reasonable information, relating to the likelihood of taking place of such dedication.
(3) The Executive Magistrate may also take suomotu cognisance on the basis of any reliable report or information or complaint as the case may be.
(4) For the purpose of preventing en-mass dedication as devadasis on certain days such as full moon day during jathres', the concerned District Magistrate shall be deemed to be the Devadasi Prohibition and Rehabilitation Officer with all powers as are conferred on a Devadasi Prohibition and Rehabilitation Officer by or under this Act.
(5) The District Magistrate shall also have additional powers to stop or prevent dedication and for this purpose, he may take all appropriate measures including use of the minimum force required.
(6) No prohibitory injunction under sub-section (1), shall be issued against any person or member of any organisation or association of persons unless the magistrate concerned has previously given notice to such person, members of the organisation or association of persons, as the case may be, and has offered him or them an opportunity to show cause against the issue of the injunction:
Provided that, in the case of any urgency, the magistrate concerned shall have the power to issue an interim injunction without giving any notice under this sub-section.
(7) An injunction issued under sub-section (1), may be confirmed or vacated after giving notice and hearing the party against whom the injunction was issued..
(8) The Executive Magistrate may either on his own motion or on an application of any person aggrieved, rescind or alter an injunction issued under sub-section (1).
(9) Where an application is received under sub-section (1), the Executive Magistrate shall afford the applicant an opportunity of appearing before him either in person or by an advocate. After hearing the applicant, if the Executive Magistrate rejects the application wholly or in part, he shall record in writing the reasons for.
(10) Whoever knowing that a prohibitory injunction has been issued under sub-section (1), disobeys such an order shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend upto two years but not lessof than one yearand with a fine which shall not be less than rupees one lakh.
CHAPTER-IV
AUTHORITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
13. Taluk Committeefor Vigilance and Implementation. (1) The State Government shall constitute a committee at the Taluk level know as "the Taluk Committee for Vigilance and Implementation" by notification in the Official Gazette in the districts mentioned in Schedule I. The said Committee shall be a continuingbodywith the term of members being three years post appointment.
(2) The Committee constituted under sub-section (1), shall consist of the following members, namely:-
(a) The Tahsildar, who shall be the ex- officio Chairperson.
(b) Four persons belonging to the devadasi community, which includes devadasi women and children residing in the Taluk subject to their availability. Two children, one male and one female must be there in the committee. The devadasi union recognised in each Taluk shall elect unanimously and forward the names of four such candidates, whether or not members of the Union, to the Tahsildar for appointment-members.
(c) The senior-most female police officer present at Taluka level member.
(d) One social worker nominated by the Chairperson, who has special knowledge, experience or expertise in relation to the devadasi practice and harms associated with it, residing within the same Taluk- member.
(e) Nodal officer from the Social Welfare Department-member.
(1) a representative from the Women and Child Development Department-member.
(g) the Assistant Director of Agriculture at Taluk level- member.
(h) four female members and at least two representatives belonging to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes nominated by the Chairperson-members.
(i) the Block Education Officer from the Department of School Education and Literacy-member.
(j) the Executive officer of the Taluk Panchayat -member. (k) the Child Development project officer who shall be the Member-Secretary of the Committee, but shall not have any voting rights:
Provided that, in the absence of the Tahsildar, the nodal officer of the Social Welfare Department shall act as the Chairperson of the committee:
Provided further that, the devadasi Union at Taluk level shall reserve with itself the right to recall its members elected to the Committee. Such candidates shall be duly replaced with other candidates by the Union.
14. Meetings of the Taluk Committee. (1) The Taluk Committee shall meet once
in every two months and special meetings shall also be convened when circumstances
requiring the attention of the Committee arise. Special meetings may be convened by the Tahsildar on the recommendation of at least three members from the devadasi community. Meetings shall be convened by the Tahsildar with sevendays notice for ordinary meetings and three days notice for special meetings.
(2)Appointmentsto the Taluk Committee shall be made by the State Government within one month from the date of commencement of this Act and within two weeks of any vacancies arising thereafter.
(3)The minimum quorum for the meeting of the Taluk Committee shall be five, of which two members present shall be Government representatives and three from among the devadasi community and social worker subject to their having been appointed. Absence of any member shall not vitiate the proceedings of the Committee.
(4)Ordinary decisions shall be made on the basis of a simple majority of members present and voting. Special decisions regarding land, housing, employment, education, and health shall be made on the basis of consensus of the Committee. In case of a tie the Tahsildar shall hold the casting vote.
(5)The nominated members shall be paid an honorarium as may be prescribed by the State Government as well as reimbursement of cost of travel from the village to the Taluk.
15. Duties of the Taluk Committee for Vigilance and implementation. It shall be the duty of each Taluk Committee to,
(a) identify devadasis and devadasi families throughvoluntary application or suo-moto procedure of the Committee and provide them with identity card within six months from the date of commencement of this Act;
(b) conduct survey every three yearsto assess the number of the devadasis present. This will be further evaluated by the District Committee which shall then present a report based on the findings of the survey to the State Committee;
(c) correct discrepancies or omissions, if any, in the details mentioned in such cards. Rectifications shall be carried out within a period of one month;
(d) verify applications made under section 27 for identification of devadasi families and reject malafide applications, if any, filed under this Act;
(e) undertake taluk-wide surveys to identify devadasi practices and make suitable recommendations to the State Government for their inclusion in section 2(b) and 2 (c) for identification of devadasis;
(f) recognise cooperatives, collectives, platforms, and unions amongst the devadasi community. Such recognition shall be carried out according to the rules specified under the Act;
(g) hold awareness programs and campaigns for people within the taluk regarding the ill-effects of devadasi practices;
(h) undertake comprehensive socio-economic rehabilitation measures for the victims of devadasi practices;
(i) the committee shall take all necessary steps to set up a single window mechanism for devadasis where they can get information of all Central and State Government schemes they are eligible under, and required process to avail the benefits. Such a mechanism shall be established within the period of six months from the commencement of this Act. Grievances may be filed by any interested party with the District Committee for the non-performance of this duty;
(j) ensure that the right of the devadasi family to healthcare is fulfilled;
(k) look into any other matter incidental thereto or connected therewith for implementation of this Act;
(1) submit Action-taken Report (ATR) to the District Committee after the commencement of every subsequent meeting; and
(m) nominate to the Districtcommittee the devadasi representatives from among the existing members of the taluk committee or someone from the talukas the committee may deem fit. The Taluk Committee shall reserve the right to recall such representatives. Such candidates shall be duly replaced with other candidates by the Committee.
16. Grievance Redressal Mechanism. Any grievance related to the Taluk Committee shall be taken under consideration by the District Committee and the decision of the District committee shall be final.
17. District Committee for Vigilance and Implementation. (1) The State Government shall constitute a committee at the District level know as "the District Committee for Vigilance and Implementation" by notification in the Official Gazette in the districts mentioned in Schedule 1. The said Committee shall be a continuing bodywith the term of members being three years post appointment.
(2) The Committee constituted under sub-section (1), shall consist of the following members, namely:-
(a) The Deputy Commissioner, who shall be the ex- officio Chairperson.
(b) TheChief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat, who shall be the Vice-
Chairperson of the Committee.
(c) TheSuperintendent of Police of the District-member.
(d) Arepresentative of the Urban Development Department-member.
(e) A representative of the Tribal Welfare Department-member.
(1) A representative of the Backward Classes Welfare Department-member.
(g) Arepresentative of the Housing Department-member.
(h) A representative of the Health and Family Welfare Department-member.
(i) The Deputy Director of Public Instruction of the concerned District-member. (j) TheDeputy Director of Women and Child Development Department-member.
(k) One representative from each Taluk belonging to the devadasi community which includes devadasi women residing in the Taluk nominated by the Taluk Committee. Such representative may or may not be a member of the Taluk Committee-member.
(1) Subject to availability of devadasis in a given Taluk, two adult children of devadasi mothers, not belonging to the same household, appointed by the Taluk Committee and residing within the District-members.
(m) One female social worker or senior activist nominated by the chairperson, who has known credentials, special knowledge, experience or expertise in relation to
the devadasi practices and harms associated with it, and residing within the district-member:
(n) Two representatives belonging to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes nominated by the Deputy Commissioner-members.
(o) the District Social Welfare Officer, who shall be the Member-Secretary of the Committee and prepare agenda papers for the meetings.
18. Meetings of the District Committee.-(1)The District Committee shall meet once in every two months and special meetings shall also be convened when circumstances requiring the attention of the Committee arise. Special meetings may be convened by the Deputy Commissioner on the recommendation of atleast five members from the devadasi community. Meetings shall be convened by the Deputy Commissioner with ten days notice for ordinary meetings and three days notice for special meetings.
2) Appointments to the District Committee shall be made by the State Government within one month from the commencement of this Act and within two weeks of any vacancies arising thereafter.
(3) The minimum quorum for the meeting of the District Committee shall be one third of the total members present of which atleast four members present shall belong to the devadasi community. Absence of any member shall not vitiate the proceedings of the Committee.
(4) Ordinary decisions shall be made on the basis of a simple majority of members present and voting. Special decisions regarding land, housing, employment, education and health shall be made on the basis of consensus of the Committee. In case of a tie the Deputy Commissioner shall hold the casting vote.
(5) The nominated members shall be paid such honorarium as may be prescribed by the State Government as well as reimbursement of cost of travel from the Taluk to the District.
19. Duties of the District Committee for Vigilance and implementation. It shall be the duty of each District Committee to,-
(a) oversee the functions of all Taluk level committees in the District and to receive regular reports of proceedings, progress, action taken and performance in terms of rehabilitation. The District level Committee may review the taluk level committees in the performance of their duties;
(b) coordinate the functions of all concerned agencies with a view to channelize adequate credit for the rehabilitation of devadasi Families;
(c) a Management Information System (MIS), shall be regularly maintained by the committee wherein all the relevant information, such as survey details, service delivery, grievances received and addressed, pendency of applications, penalties and actions taken are recorded;
(d) the Devadasi prohibition and rehabilitation officer shall report the progress made in the fulfilment of his duties under this Act, in a form specified by the Committee; and
(e) receive individual complaints from any person or take suo moto cognizance of violations of the Act by any person or organisation and report them to the jurisdictional police for necessary action;
Explanation: This provision is without prejudice to thegeneral powers and jurisdiction of the police to directly entertain such complaints.
(f) provide periodic training and conscientise the officers of the State Government, police officers and other such staff and personnel involved in the implementation of this Act;
(g) submit Action-taken Report (ATR) along with agenda papers to the State Committee at the commencement of every subsequent meeting;
(h) ensure that a comprehensive, integrated health check-up is carried out for all devadasi families opting for the same, take any measures necessary for the same:
(i) publicise the provisions of this Act through media including the television, radio and the print media at regular intervals to make the general public aware of the provisions of this Act;
(j) hear and decide appeals from the Taluka Level Committee decisions;
(k) look into any other matter incidental thereto or connected therewith for implementation of this Act.
(1) set-up sub-committees which will be headed by one of the devadasi woman member. These sub- committees shall administer the Shelter Homes established under section 32; and
(m) nominate to the State committee the devadasi representatives from among the existing members of the district committee, or someone from the district as the committee may deem fit. The district committee shall reserve the right to recall members nominated to the State Committee. The Committee may also appoint for such representatives after recall..
20. Grievance Redressal Mechanism.-Any grievance related to the District Committee shall be taken under consideration by State Committee and the decision of State committee shall be final.
21. State Committee for Vigilance and Implementation.-(1) The State Government shall constitute a committee at the State level know as "theState Committee for Vigilance and Implementation" by notification in the Official Gazette. The said Committee shall be a continuing body with the term of members being three years post appointment.
(2) The Committee constituted under sub-section (1) shall consist of the following members, namely:-
(a) The Chief Secretary to the Governmentor his representative who shall be the ex- officio Chairperson.
(b) the Secretary to Government departmentof Women and Child Development -Vice Chairperson. The Vice-Chairperson shall have the power to call for the State Committee meeting in the absence of the Chief Secretary.
(c) A representative of the Housing Department-member.
(d) A representative of the Rural Development and Panchayath Raj Department-member.
(e) A representative of the School Education and literacy Department-member.
(1) A representative of the Higher Education Department-member.
(g) A representative of the Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Department-member.
(h) The Director General of Police or his representative-member.
(i) A representative of the Tribal Welfare Department-member.
(j) A representative of the Revenue Department-member.
(k) A representative of the Urban Development Department-member.
(1) A representative of the Backward Classes Welfare Department-member.
(m) A representative of the Finance Department-member.
(n) A representative of the Health Department-member.
(o) The Director of Civil Rights Enforcement or his Representative-member;
(p) One representative from each District mentioned in belonging to the devadasi community which includes devadasi women children residing in the District. The District Committee in each district shall elect and forward the names of such candidates to the Chief Secretary for appointment. Such member may or may not be a member of the District Committee. At least half of such representatives shall be female-member.
(q) Two social workers or senior activists with known credentials nominated by the Chairperson, who have special knowledge, experience or expertise in relation to devadasi practices and harms associated with it, and residing within the State-members.
(r) Eight female members and at least two representatives belonging to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes nominated by the Chief Secretary to the Government members.
(s) an officer not below the rank of Joint Director Department of Women and Child Development-member.
(t) An officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary of the Social Welfare Department, who shall be the Member-Secretary of the Committee and prepare agenda papers for its meetings.
22.Meetings of the State Committee. (1) The State Committee shall meet once in every two months and special meetings shall also be convened when circumstances requiring the attention of the Committee arise. Special meetings may be convened by the Chairperson on the recommendation of at least three members from the devadasi community. Meetings shall be convened by the Chairperson with fourteen days notice for ordinary meetings and five days notice for special meetings.
(2) Appointments to the State Committee shall be made by the State Government within one month from the date of commencement of this Act and within two weeks of any vacancies arising thereafter.
(3) The minimum quorum for the meeting of the State Committee shall be one third of the total members present of which atleast four members present shall belong to the devadasi community. Absence of any member shall not vitiate the proceedings of the Committee.
(4)Ordinary decisions shall be made on the basis of a simple majority of members present and voting. Special decisions regarding land, housing, employment, education and health shall be made on the basis of consensus of the Committee. In case of a tie the Chief Secretary to the Government shall hold the casting vote.
(5) The nominated members shall be paid an honorarium as may be prescribed by the State Government as well as reimbursement of cost of travel from their residence to the venue of the meeting.
23. Duties of the State Committee for Vigilance and implementation. It shall be the duty of the State Committee to,-
(a) supervise the functioning of all District level committees in the State, receive regular reports of proceedings, progress, action taken and performance in terms of rehabilitation. The State level Committee may assist the district level committees in the performance of their duties;
(b) issue appropriate directions to any persons, authorities or agencies to carry out the purposes of this Act, especially to prevent the violation of the provisions of this Act;
(c) identify schemes and allocate budget accordingly by making sure that no scheme remains un-implemented for lack of funds;
(d) create, by earmarking a specific portion of the sub-plan, a separate fund for the payment of living expenses;
(e) steps to ensure full utilisation of sub-plan allocation, and in addition accessing the General Budget for costs relating to the implementation of the rehabilitation plan;
(1) scrutinise and audit primary and higher education curricula in collaboration with the State Council for Educational Research and Training to further the development of scientific temper and recommend appropriate corrective measures;
(g) coordinate the functions of all concerned agencies with a view to channelize adequate credit for the rehabilitation of devadasis;
(h) provide the officers of the State Governments and other concerned persons including the police officers periodic training on the matters relating to the implementation of the provisions of the Act;
(i) publise the provisions of this Act through media including the television, radio and the print media at regular intervals to make the general public, children as well as their parents and guardians aware of the provisions of this Act;
(i) make enquiries into allegations of wilful negligence of the duties under this Act by public officials;
(k) ensure that the concerned departments for the charters provided under the Act prepare within a period of six months, comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures to ensure the access of rights thereunder to members of the devadasi family;
(1) ensure that all devadasi children have access to free education during school and higher education, vocational, technical, professional education etc.,;
(m) ensure that land and adequate housing is provided to the devadasi family as per the Charter of Land and Housing provided under this Act.
(n) hear and decide appeals from decisions of District Level Committee; and
(o) look into any other matter incidental thereto or connected therewith for implementation of the Act.
24. State Committee and District Committee for Vigilance and implementation to have certain powers of a civil court. In exercising the functions. conferred on the State Committee and the District Committee under this Act, the Committees shall have all the powers of a civil court, while trying a suit under the Bharatiya Nagarika Surakha Sanhita, 2023(Central Act No 46 of 2023) in respect of the following matters, namely:-
(a) Summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him
on oath.
(b) Requiring the discovery and production of any document.
(c) Proof of facts by affidavits.
(d) Appointing commissions for examination of witness ordocuments.
(e) Any other matter as may be prescribed.
25. Devadasi Prohibition and Rehabilitation Officer.-(1) The State Government shall appoint Devadasi Prohibition and Rehabilitation Officer as many as recommended by a Taluk Committee, by notification in the official Gazette. The appointment shall be made on the basis of the familiarity of the Officer with the issues faced by the devadasi community, either by virtue of professional experience or affiliation. Preference shall be given to female candidates in such appointment.
(2) At the District Level the Devadasi Prohibition and Rehabilitation Officer shall be from the cadre of Deputy Director and at the Taluk level it shall be in the cadre of Assistant Director Cadre.
(3) The State Government may also requesta respectable member of the locality with a record of social service or an officer of devadasi related non-Government organisations to assist the Devadasi Prohibition and Rehabilitation Officer and such person, as the case may be, shall be bound to act accordingly. If the chosen member of the locality fails to assist the Devadasi Prohibition and Rehabilitation Officer, then another respectable member of that locality may have to be chosen to assist the Devadasi Prohibition and Rehabilitation Officer.
(4) The duty of the Devadasi Prohibition and Rehabilitation Officer,-
(a) to prevent dedication by intervening and collecting evidences for the effective implementationasrequired under the provisions of this Act;
(b) to advise either individual cases or counsel the residents of the locality generally not to promote, help, aid or allow the dedication of devadasi;
(c) implementation of various functions under this Act through a process of application and resolution of grievances. The Devadasi Prohibition and Retaliation Officer shall collaborate with the Taluk Committee;
(d) to create awareness of the evil which results from dedication; (e) to sensitise the community on the issue of dedication;
(1) to take action to write the Panchnama report at the place of incident itself and obtain the signatures of witnesses;
(g) to furnish such periodical returns and statistics in such manner as may be prescribed and as demanded by the District devadasi Committee;
(h) to discharge such other functions and duties as may be prescribed;
(i) to assist the Taluk Committee in conducting the survey for identification of devadasis;
(j) to overlook and monitor all the rehabilitation and relief functions as defined in this Act; and
(k) to perform any other function that the TalukCommittee may assign for the implementation of thisAct.
(4) To perform all the duties mentioned in sub-section (3), the Taluk Committee shall decide the time frame for Devadasi Prohibition and Rehabilitation Officer.
(5) The State Government may, by notification, in the Official Gazette, subject to such conditions and limitations, invest with the Devadasi Prohibition and Rehabilitation Officer such powers of a police officer as may be specified in the notification and the Devadasi Prohibition and Rehabilitation Officer shall exercise such powers subject to such conditions and limitations, as may be specified.
(6)The Devadasi Prohibition and Rehabilitation Officer shall have the power to move the District Committee for rehabilitation of rescued woman.
(7) The Devadasi Prohibition and Rehabilitation Officer shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of clause (28) of section 2 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023(Central Act 45 of 2023).
CHAPTER-V
IDENTIFICATION
26. Identification and Preparation of Lists. (1) The Taluk Committee shall
conduct a survey as mentioned in clause (b) of section 15 to assess the number of devadasis.
(2) The number of devadasis in the State shall be categorised into separate lists from time to time. List I shall contain those that were identified in the surveys conducted by the State Government before the commencement of the Act. List II shall contain those that will be identified inthe survey that shall be conducted after the commencement of this Act. Subsequent Lists shall be made as and when the surveys are conducted.
27. Right to Identification. (1) All members of devadasi family shall have a right
to be recognised as such individually by the Taluk Committee in the Taluk where such dedication was carried out or where the woman resided as a practicing devadasi. Such identification may be carried out by the Committee suomotu or upon application by members of the devadasi family. Such identification shall be followed by the issue of an identification card indicating their names, ages, residential address and generation (as devadasi (First Generation), child of devadasi (Second Generation) and grandchild of devadasi (Third Generation)
(2)The Committee will rely on, but not mechanically bind itself to the provisions of clause (b) and (c) of section 2 for the identification of a devadasi.
(3) The identity card issued by the Taluk Committee under the Act shall act as conclusive proof of entitlement to any benefits extended under the Act.
28. Identification of Children of devadasi. Identification of the devadasi shall be deemed to identify her children and grandchildren (whether existing, or born subsequently) as members of the devadasi family. In the event of death of the mother before the commencement of the Act, such children may apply to the Taluk Committee with five supporting affidavits from the devadasi union of their Taluk for recognition as a child of the devadasi. This is subject to the availability of devadasi union in a given Taluk.
CHAPTER-VI
CHARTER OF HEALTH
29. Right to Health.-(1) The State shall protect the right of every devadasi woman to good health and wellness.
(2)Each devadasi woman shall have a right to be included as a deemed beneficiary to all existing State and National health programmes applicable to the State of Karnataka.
Her application for coverage under such programme shall be made by the Taluk Committee on the basis of the Identification Card issued under the Act.
(3)The State shall bear all costs incurred for the treatment of all chronic and acute illness suffered by the devadasi including costs of diagnosis and post-treatment care. By providing allowance for conveyance, or passes for public transport, the State shall endeavour to ensure that factors such as the cost of transportation do not cause denial of treatment.
(4)The State shall identify and ensure that an environment of preventive care is maintained in the life of all devadasis, including but not limited to, provision of clean drinking water, sanitation, menstrual health, and maternity care.
(5) Every member of the devadasi family or devdasi will, upon identification, be entitled to a State sponsored integrated health check-up for all common health issues including but not limited to cardiac and pulmonary issues, anaemia and venereal and viral diseases in accordance the right to privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the person. Such a health check-up may be carried out at an adequately equipped health facility on the production of the identification card issued under the Act. The Taluk committee shall inform the members of the devdasi family or devdasi in their jurisdiction about the same. TheDevadasi Prohibition and Rehabilitation Officer shall identify such facilities and arrange for transportation.
(6)The State shall ensure access to medical care at the sub-centre level and protect devadasi womenand their families from exploitationby private practitioners andfrom being subjected to catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses.
(7) The State shall rely only on tried-and-tested, medically sound and empirically safe medical treatments and procedures for preventive care, diagnostic care and treatment of devadasis.
(8)Alongside health education and awareness programmes about medical issues and relevant programmes and schemes, focus shall be laid on the mental health of members of the devadasi community. Clinical or behavioural psychologists shall be identified in all districts for counselling devadasis and their children.
(9)The Department of Health shall, ensure the effective implementation of the provisions outlined in this chapter. These shall include identification, outreach, diagnostic and preventive care, mental health support, and integration with existing state and national health programmes, ensuring dignity, privacy, and accessibility for all identified devadasis and their families.
CHAPTER-VII
CHARTER OF LAND AND HOUSING
30. Access to Land. (1) The State shall give preference to those devadasis who are dependent on agricultural occupation by allocation agricultural land under the existing schemes of the development corporations, subject to availability of land orrehabilitation schemes. Such allocation shall be undertaken on a priority basis in accordance with rules notified under the Act.
(2) In the event of the death of a devadasi before the allotment of land, the benefit of such preference shall be extend to one eligible dependent member of her family, as verified and recorded by the Taluk Committee.
(3) Any land granted under this provision shall not be sold, transferred, or acquired by the Government as long as any surviving listed member of the devadasi family is alive.
(4)The provisions of the Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prohibition of Transfer of Certain Lands) Act, 1978 (Karnataka Act 02 of 1979) shall mutatis mutandis apply to the allotment of land made to the devadasis under sub-section (1).
(5) To encourage sustainable livelihoods, the State shall give preferential consideration to registered collectives of devadasis for the allocation of land suitable for collective or cooperative farming, subject to availability under existing government schemes. On receiving an application from not less than ten identified devadasis in a village, the Taluk Committee may facilitate the allotment of consolidated landholdings. The development of model farms focusing on organic methods, traditional crops, food processing, and collective decision-making shall be promoted on such land.
31. Right to Housing.- (1) The State shall provide every devadasi adequate housing of appropriate size that meets satisfactory standards of hygiene, comfort and preserves personal and family privacy. In the event of death of the devadasi before the allocation of adequate housing, right to such benefit shall devolve unto the surviving members of the devadasi family only.
(2)The Devadasi families and the surviving family members of the deceased devadasi family, put togethershall be allotted a appropriate residential plot and shall be provided with sufficient financial assistance for meeting the cost of building 'adequate housing' as defined in Schedule II subject to eligibility and willingness of the devadasi, andto the provisions of the relevant scheme of the Central Government or the State Government or the concerned local authority.
(3) The State Government when constructing houses for devadasi family shall ensure that minimum criteria of adequate housing as listed under Schedule II of this Act are met and shall mandatorily involve devadasi community/Taluk Committee in all stages. of implementation of such housing schemes.
(4) The State Government shall framed rules and take other measures to achieve the progressive realization of this right within one year of commencement of the Act.
(5) Measures must be taken to achieve all policy prescriptions adopted by the Government of Karnataka in their Karnataka Affordable Housing Policy, 2016.
(6) Standard Operating Procedure shall be formulated within six months by the Secretary, Department of Revenue to ensure all the above.
CHAPTER-VIII
CHARTER OF IMMEDIATE RELIEF
32. Immediate Relief and Protection.- (1) Any minor devadasi in need of immediate relief and protection shall, on application made in such manner as may prescribed to the Taluk Committee or Devadasi Prohibition and Rehabilitation Officer be providedwith shelter in Children's Home as per the mandatory requirements of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015(Central Act 02 of 2016).
(2)Any devadasi woman above the age of eighteen years along with her minor children, if any, in need of immediate relief and protection shall, on application made in such manner as may be prescribed to the Taluk Committee, be provided shelter in Special Homes to be set up by the State Governmentor in the existing special homes to be identified by the State Government within one year of commencement of the Act.
(3) The minimum facilities to be provided in the Special Homes shall be such as may be prescribed.
(4)Every Special Home shall have a Management Committee to be headed by a devadasi woman nominated by the sub-committee of the District Committee as constituted under clause (1) of section 19, to be set up in such manner as may be prescribed, to manage the institution and monitor the Special Homes.
(5) Standard Operating Procedure shall be formulated within six months by the Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development to ensure all the above.
CHAPTER-IX
CHARTER OF REHABILITATION
33. Rehabilitation and Resettlement. (1) Members of the devadasi family can avail the following entitlements by making an application before the District Committee for the same. The State Government shall frame rules for the same within six months from the date of commencement of the Act. The benefits provided under the Act shall be made available to the devadasi family within one year of such application.
(2) Special priorities shall be given to devadasi families in all schemes implemented. by all departments of the State Government.
34. Living Expenses. Devadasi women shall be given monthly living expenses as may be prescribed under relevant State Government scheme. Funds shall be allocated towards the same by the State Committee and disbursed through the Taluk Committee. The living expenses shall meet the minimum requirements for the fulfillment of all basic needs. The State Committee shall review the living expenses.
35. Skill Development. The devadasi woman and other adult members of her family shall be given, subject to eligibility and willingness, training in a livelihood skill under various schemes sponsored by the Government of India and the State Government and shall be paid a monthly stipend of not less than half of minimum wage, during the period of such training.
36. Antyodaya Anna Yojana Card.-The State Government shall ensure the entitlement of Anthodaya Ana Yojana (AAY) card to all the devadasi families. As Aadhar is mandatory to issue new ration cards or to add a beneficiary to an existing ration card the Devadasi and family members should be provided an Aadhar card, in case they do not have an Aadhar card. The process for identification and issuing AAY ration cards to Devadasis, their family members shall be made through Taluk Committee, District Committee and the State Committee.
37. Education of Devadasi Children.-TheState Governmentshall make provision to provide priority admission to the devadasi children in Government-run residential schools. The State shall ensure that all costs including tuition, accommodation, nutrition and associated expenses are provided through the grant of need-based scholarships, which shall be instituted within one year from the date of commencement of the Act. The State shall bear all the expenses of the devadasi children towards Higher Education, Professional and Technical courses.
38. Employment. To create sustainable alternate livelihood options,-
(a) The Government shall take necessary steps to ensure the alternative livelihood opportunities for devadasi families as a vulnerable group. This may include special facilitation cells, pre- recruitment training, and representation in special recruitment drives for employment opportunities and need based skill development trainings for alternative employment opportunities.
(b) The Government shall promote alternate livelihoods for devadasi families by implementing measures to enhance capacity by extension of formal credits schemes, innovation and entrepreneurship schemes. Other things remaining the same, the members of devadasi families shall be given priority in Government contracts, Government supplies, purchase and public procurement, industrial and small scale industries.
39. Marriage. The State Government shall formulate a scheme to financially incentivize marriages where one of the spouses belongs to a devadasi family. Such financial incentive must be allotted to such couples in such manner as may be prescribed.
CHAPTER-X
AWARENESS
40. Awareness Programmes.- (1) The State Government, shall take necessary measures to ensure that appropriate educational and awareness campaigns be undertaken for sensitising people, especially in vulnerable sections of society, to the ill-effects of the devadasi practice.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing clause, such measures may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:-
(a) The awareness programmes for devadasi community and the society at large will include campaigns for creating legal and social awareness with special focus on health awareness campaigns for devadasi community.
(b) The Taluk Committees and the District Committees shall be responsible for conducting social and legal awareness programs at respective levels with help from academicians, social workers and civil society organisations. Awareness campaigns conducted should aim at improving the status of devadasi community in the society by targeting common people through activities like street plays, screening of movies, exhibitions, pamphlets etc.
(c) The Awareness Programmes shall also include in the campaign, information about the help lines that are at disposal of women in need of rescue and rehabilitation
(d) The District Committee may collaborate with the District Legal Service Authority and legal services cells of all law colleges situated in Karnataka to help Taluk Committees to conduct legal awareness programmes in each taluk. The aim of such legal awareness programmes shall be:
(i) Imparting basic understanding of legal provisions and benefits under the Act and also other Acts like the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (Central Act 35 of 2009), Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (Central Act 02 of 2016), the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012,(Central Act 32 of 2012)etc.
(ii) Deterring the practice of dedication and sexual exploitation in the society at large through awareness programmes on punitive measures under the Act.
(e) Health awareness campaigns for the devadasi community will be conducted by Taluk Committee and District Committee in collaboration with concerned health department officials, to integrate awareness with health camps, with special focus on awareness about sexually transmitted diseases and other occupational diseases associated with the devadasi practice.
(f) Citizen's Charter of all department of State Government shall include the rights and benefits given to devadasis under the Act.
(g) All existing and future programmes for Masters in Social Work affiliated to every University in Karnataka shall be included in the awareness efforts under this Act.
(h) The District Committee shall convene a convergence meeting of all stakeholders once in every six months. The resolutions passed in these meetings shall be updated to "Management Information System"MIS within. two weeks from the meeting.
(i) Recommendation shall be made by the State Government to concerned authorities to include a chapter on devadasi practices in school curricula, to sensitise and conscientise children and develop among them scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform, a fundamental duty of every citizen under Article 51A(h) of the Constitution of India.
(j) The State Government, in consultation with the Directors of State Administrative Academy and State Police Academy, shall conduct periodic workshop and training programs to sensitize and train all newly inducted officers on the devadasi practices and matters relating to the implementation of the provisions of the Act.
(k) Special measures should be taken to conduct awareness programmes near temple premises where dedication ceremonies usually take place.
(1) The State Government with the help of concerned authorities shall undertake training of Panchayat officials on elimination of devadasi practice within their respective jurisdiction and implementation of the provisions of the Act.
(m) Awareness efforts towards the eradication of the devadasi practise shall also aim to liberate the members of the devadasi family from the pernicious practice of devadasi.
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