Mangaluru: Mayor Jacintha Vijay Alfred inaugurated the office of the‘Cell to Eradicate Poverty from the City’ at the MCC premises here, on February 16.
Community Affairs Officer, Malini Rodrigues welcomed the gathering. Member of Public Health, Education and Social Justice statutorycommittee, Prakash B Salian said, “As soon as Tulu Sahitya Academy vacated the office space, we requested the authority to provide the space as an office for the cell. The cell will work towards eradicating poverty from the city and on March 7, we have organised a programme at the Town Hall to distribute relief cheques to 1350 poor and disabled. To make the district a kerosene-free district we willdistribute LPG connections to 700 households and many other projects for the upliftment of the poor and disabled will be undertaken by the cell.”
Corporator Sudhir Shetty said, “34.35% of the tax collected is set aside by the corporation to be utilized in schemes related to the betterment of the poor and the disabled. The committees form lists of all those who are in need of assistance and see to it that all those who require aid are provided for. We still have a lot of applications pending for LPG gas connections and construction of latrines and all those applications are being reviewed. This cell will work to make
serve the poor and make the city poverty free.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Jacintha said, “Malini has been doing social service from the past 25 years and I have had the opportunity to work with her on several occasions. The cell will definitely improve the living conditions of poor, but there are several hurdles too. The applications we receive for assistance is overwhelming, while the resources we have to cater them are limited. The committee headed by Prakash does a thorough research to identify the individuals who deserve the aid.”
After the inaugural function, equipments like walkers, special shoes, worth Rs 92500 were distributed to 5 disabled individuals, 9 individuals received cheques toward their medical expenses worth Rs 48423, Rs 25000 was given as a first installment toward building a new house to a person, 8 organisations that dealt with the disabled were awarded funds totaling Rs 120000, sewing machines worth Rs 36250 were distributed to 5 individuals and an entrepreneur was handed over a cheque of Rs 50000.
Deputy Mayor Purushotham Chitrapura, Vijay Shetty, Rajneesh and others were also present.
Few of the poor can join Politics and get elected to become wealthy Corporators. Soon they can own Cars,Apartments plus expensive gifts. Education is not important but should know to lie,cheat and accept black money. Rural Employment money to provide jobs was robbed in Crores. Midday meal was chiseled out through stolen Rice and other grains, bicycles are already sold to Fish sellers. IN my opinion this program is to convince Smart City Authorities in Delhi that Poor community will be rich under Smart City program. Why now all of a sudden Corporation saw poor People!!! Add few more Liquor… Read more »