K’taka govt to form panel on sex workers

The Karnataka government will soon form a panel to look into problems faced by sex workers, Women and Child Welfare Minister Umashree said on Monday.

“The government, in a day or two, will form a panel to study the plight of sex workers across Karnataka,” she said.

However, she declined to make any concrete statement on legalising prostitution in the state in the backdrop of some religious leaders and politicians, including former law minister MC Nanaiah favouring wider discussion on the matter. “The question of legalising prostitution will only arise after the panel submits its report,” she said. 

“The issue of legalising prostitution is sensitive. There have been differences among several eminent people on the issue,” she said, adding that modalities for setting up of the panel is in progress.