The district slum dwellers’ welfare association President A Narasimhamurty and General Secretary Sayed Altaf have criticised contestants of the local body elections for neglecting slum dwellers’ welfare, during their campaign.

There are around 25 slum areas in Tumkur City and more than one lakh people reside here. But, till this day no package has been announced for the development of these areas.  ‘Even in Rs 62.73 crore worth package for the development of Tumkur, no grant is  earmarked for the development of slums. While allocating funds and calling for tender, the ministers have given priority to the wards from where their candidates are contending,’ they alleged.   An awareness campaign will be organised from September 13 to 20, in 14 wards where the slum dwellers will play decisive role.