Shobha criticises withdrawal of midday meal grants

Shobha condemns witch-hunting by the CM

MP Shobha Karandlaje has strongly opposed the move of the state government of stopping funds from the Muzrai Department to Sri Devi Vidya Kendra, Punacha, and Sri Rama Vidya Kendra, Kalladka, for mid-day meals books, uniforms and medical expenses. She has also called the move political vengeance.

Addressing reporters at BJP leader Vedavyas Kamath’s residence in Gandhinagar in Mangaluru on Thursday, Karandlaje said that the state government, through an order passed on December 22, 2004, had directed the Muzrai Department to utilise 5% of revenue of Sri Mookambika Temple, Kollur, towards mid-day meals, uniforms, books and medical aid to the students of the Government High School, Harawala village, Jevargi, Kalaburgi; the VKK High School, Hirehadagali, Hoovinahadagali, Ballari; the Government High School, Paduvala Hippe, Holenarasipura, Hassan; and the Government High School, Maralavadi, Kanakapura, Bengaluru, under the adoption scheme. In June 20, 2007, the facility was extended to Sri Devi Vidya Kendra, Punacha and Sri Rama Vidya Kendra, Kalladka.

“The recent order by the state government is purely an act of political vendetta. The government has made the children from the two institutions deprived of the facilities. However, the temple has not been restricted from providing funds to the four schools notified in the 2004 order,” she insisted.

“Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who claims to be pro-Ahinda, has neglected the schools. He, as well as the district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai must know that most of the children who study in Kalladka and Punacha schools are from minority and backward classes. Among the 902 students at the Punacha school, 50 students belong to SC/ST communities, seven students are from minority communities, 63 are from OBC and only three are from general category. In the Kalladka school, 151 students are from SC/ST, two are from minority communities, 706 are from OBC and 43 from general category. In both schools, the majority comprises of Ahinda”, the MP pointed out and urged the state government to continue the facilities to the schools as before.

Karandlaje initiated the campaign of collecting rice from houses towards the mid-day meals of the children at Sri Devi Vidya Kendra, Punacha and the Sri Rama Vidya Kendra, Kalladka. Carrying a cloth sack with her, she collected handful of rice from several houses in Gandhinagar, starting from the residence of BJP leader Vedavyas Kamath. She said that the BJP Mahila Morcha will carry forward the campaign by collecting handful of rice from houses in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi on the day of Sankranthi, every month.

She also demanded ban on KFD, PFI and SDPI in the state. “Assault and murder of Hindu activists in the district have increased after the state government withdrew cases against the KFD activists. A probe should also be initiated by the NIA on Love Jehad activities in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts,” she said.