Mangaluru: The district administration in association with Zilla Panchayat and the Information Department organized “Jana Mana”, a discussion between the district minister in-charge Ramanath Rai and the beneficiaries of various governments schemes at Milagres Jubilee Hall here, on September 15.
The programme began with the Nadageethe. Information officer Khader Shah welcomed the gathering. Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim delivered the keynote address. DC Ibrahim said that the state government led by CM Siddaramaiah has initiated many schemes for the people of the state. The Anna Bhagya scheme is one amongst them, through which BPL families are benefited. “When any scheme is implemented, there will be criticism. But we need to take criticism positively, correct the mistakes and try to make the schemes successful.” He also said that if there are any irregularities or red tapism in distributing the schemes, the people should approach the concerned authorities and help the administration in reaching out these schemes to the beneficiaries. He urged the beneficiaries to share their experiences and problems with the district minister in-charge through the Jana Mana programme.
He also said that there should be constructive ideas for the success of every scheme and invited positive ideas for the progression of the schemes. We have to involve people in government schemes to bring awareness among them so that they reach every beneficiary in the state, he added.
The programme was inaugurated by Ramanath Rai by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries on the dais. A book, “Sadaneya Hadiyalli 2 Varshagalu” was released by Ramanath Rai on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Ramanath Rai said that the Congress government lead by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after coming to power started the Anna Bhagya scheme with the intention to uplift poor families socially and economically. Earlier, the scheme started with Rs 1 per kg of rice, and was later revised to distribute 30 kg of rice a month free for the BPL families. The intention of the state government is to make Karnataka a ‘starvation-free state’. He also said that the Vidyasiri scheme is to help the backward and meritorious students to pursue their education. Sometimes girls are not getting space in hostels and during such instances, stipend money will help to solve their boarding and lodging problems.
Thereafter, a face to face discussion was held with the beneficiaries. One of the beneficiaries, Vasanth Puttur said that when he visits the fare price shop, there are a lot of irregularities and the people are unable to complain about the same. In reply, Rai said that such issues should be brought to the notice of the DC office or the concerned authorities. Suresh from Mangaluru said that he is one of the beneficiaries of the Anna Bhagya scheme and thanked the state government for initiating the scheme, but also said that some of the beneficiaries are misusing the scheme by taking the rice from the fare price shop and selling it for higher price to other shops. He requested the minister to bring an end to such practices. Rai assured to form a monitoring committee to curb such practices.
Minister for Youth Services and Fisheries, Abhaychandra Jain said that the state government led by Siddaramaiah has brought many schemes for the people of the state. Recalling Siddaramaiah’s childhood, Jain said that the chief minister was not a stranger to hardship and faced it when he was pursuing his education. The state government has brought schemes like Anna Bhagya, Vidyasiri, Matsya Ashraya Scheme, Shaadi Bhagya, Arogya Bhagya, Yashashwini, Khseera Bhagya and many other schemes. Under Vidyasiri scheme, the state government will pay a stipend amount to meritorious and Backward Class students who do not get boarding in government hostels. The stipend amount of Rs 15000 for 10 months will be transferred directly to the students bank accounts.
He further said that there are complaints about the Anna Bhagya scheme with some people arriving to the fare price shops in cars wearing costly ornaments and taking rice from the shop. The Anna Bhagya scheme has been misused by some of the shop owners, and this has to be curbed. This scheme is exclusively for BPL card holders and not for the rich people, he said.
Students beneficiaries of Vidyasiri scheme from various colleges shared their experiences and said that they have benefited from this scheme and have been able to pursue their education by staying in the hostels. Pavitra from Alvas College said, “The scheme has helped me to pursue my education because for us Rs 15000 per annum is a huge amount but for a rich student it is his/her pocket money. The state government has helped the backward class students as well as the meritorious students who want to pursue their education by providing funds through Vidyasiri scheme.” She also said that the scheme should be utilized well and the beneficiaries should bring awareness among other students so that the poor and the marginalized also get an opportunity to pursue their education under this scheme.
Health and Family Welfare minister U T Khader also spoke on the occasion and wished success to all the beneficiaries.
CEO ZP Srividya, MUDA chairman Ibrahim Kodijal, Dr Kripa Amar Alva, Roy Castelino and others were also present.