Inform people about govt schemes, officials told

District-in-Charge Minister Pramod Madhwaraj said the Congress-led state government is pro-people catering to the needs of all classes, castes and religions. Speaking after inaugurating the ‘Jana Mana’ programme organised by the Information Department to mark the completion of Siddaramaiah-led Congress government’s four years in office here, he said the government has introduced several programmes which have taken the state on the path of progress.

He said the officials should inform the people about various pro-people schemes being implemented by the government. “Transparency is the main aim of the government. Bureaucrats should work effectively so that the people receive sufficient information regarding various social security schemes started by the government. The government’s most ambitious programme, Annabhagya, has helped the poor to get two square meals a day. It is an outstanding achievement of the government,” he said.

Madhwaraj said the government will introduce milk for students for five days in schools from July. The education department officials have been directed to guide people to avail the benefits.  He said PUC classes will be started in sports hostel in Udupi from the next academic year.  A number of beneficiaries attended the programme and shared their experiences about the government’s schemes.  The minister assured the beneficiaries of better and improved services from the government in terms of various development schemes.

He also asked the beneficiaries to share the problems they experienced and observed in the process of availing the benefits.The programme introduced by the government should reach the targeted beneficiaries, he maintained. 

The beneficiaries of Annabhagya ---- Anand Matad from Manipal, Bhaskar Poojary from Kundapur and Damayanti from Karkala --- said that along with rice, the government should also provide wheat, oil, cereals and sugar at subsidised prices.

Matad said the government has done a good job by increasing the quantity of rice. Damayanti said the money saved from the ration is spent on the education of children.

Srinitya from Government PU College, Brahamavar, said she and her classmates are immensely benefited healthwise as they are offered milk prepared from the quality milk powder containing calcium and protein.

Bailur Government Pre University College student Keerthana said she is happy that she can also wear shoes similar to that of students in private schools. Students studying in government schools are proud like their counterparts in private schools, she added. 

Keerthan from the same institution said he was able to visit 21 places in five days under the government-sponsored Pravasa Bhagya programme.

Vijayalakshmi Poojary, a beneficiary of Ksheeradhare scheme, said she is financially empowered as the government has hiked the incentive under the programme to Rs 5 from Rs 4. Kokila Anand said she was able to repay her debt thanks to the Ksheeradhare scheme. 

Mumthaz, a beneficiary of Shadi Bhagya, said she too was able to repay the loan borrowed from the marriage under the scheme’s benefits.

Ananth Bhat of Irvatthur, a beneficiary of Krushi Bhagya scheme, spoke of benefits he received under the government’s ambitious scheme. 

Shekhar Poojary and Chandrasekhar Udupa said that are many ways to augment the farming and get profitable yields. Poojary said that the government should provide subsidy for drip irrigation and provide organic fertilisers free of cost.

Shekhar G Kotian said the schemes like diesel subsidy, the support under Mathsyashraya Yojane, feasibility certificates given to all applicants, the subsidies and relief funds are all helping poor fishermen.

Jayakar said several fishermen have become self-reliant using the loan provided by the government at lower interest rates.

Rukhsana of Perdur said she is part of SHGs and the funds supported by the government has empowered women financially.

Ratnavathi said she is an orphan and is receiving Rs 500 monthly pension and also seven kg of rice. “With this, I am a peaceful life. But the quantitiy of rice should be increased for poor and orphan women,” she urged the government.

Saraswati Kalmadi appealed to fill the vacant posts of veterinary doctors in the district. Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis and other officers were present in the programme.