Palike to revive 'Thayi Madilu'

Called ‘Thayi Madilu’, the postnatal kit distribution scheme was conceptualised in 2008 for new mothers at the 26 Palike maternity hospitals in the City.  

Meagre fund

The kit consists of 15 items and is for mothers from Below Poverty Line (BPL) and SC/ST families.

With a meagre budget of just Rs one crore as against Rs 75 crore allotted by the State government for the ‘Madilu’ programme, the BBMP has been able to provide “better” quality kits.

The cost of kits distributed by the state government is said to be Rs 1,600 per unit, while the Palike-sponsored kits are priced at Rs 2,000 each.

However, the scheme has been on the back burner since last November due to the delay in approval of the budget by the Standing Committee of Taxation and Finance.  With the election of public representatives to the BBMP, the scheme was not provided allocation in the Palike Budget 2010-11.

The civic body now plans to revive the scheme. Palike Commissioner Siddaiah said: “The programme, which was to be launched with the pulse polio programme, will now be launched formally in the next few months and its cost will be completely borne by the Palike.”