“Every citizen has the fundamental right to question the programmes of the government, be it micro management or other development projects,” said Field Publicity Officer, Hassan N D Prasad.

He was speaking after inaugurating ‘Jagrutha’ a Yakshagana programme to create social awareness was jointly organised by the  Directorate of Field Publicity, Bangalore, Central Sangeetha Nataka Academy, bangalore and Kolar Zilla Panachayat and the District administration at Mulbagal Taluk. The programme was presented by the Yaksha Degula and it will be performed in ten villages of the taluk.

He added that the Government had initiated a number of projects for the development of the people living below the poverty line and rural development programme.

“It is your right to ask for information about the grants and money released for these projects by the government and know how much is being spent on it,” he said.

Prasad also added that the beneficiaries can get the relevant information at the Panchayat so they are not cheated of their rights. “Being aware about your rights is the only way that we can effectively end the menace of corruption in the country,” he added.

“For pro -people programmes to succeed it is important to spread awareness about the same among the people. We are doing this through art. Folk arts such as Yakshagana are very effective means of communication to tell the people about these programmes.” he said.

Rural migration

The coordinator of Yaksha Degula Sudarshan expressed his dismay at the rural migration to urban cities by unemployed youth and added that the National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme has been introduced by the government and the young people need to take advantage of it.

According to this scheme, every person in a family is guaranteed 100 days of paid employment with which the person can not only address his financial worries but also contribute to the development of his village.
The yakshagana team then presented a programmed about the various programmes of the government that have been introduced for the development rural sector.