Biju Prabhakar, Special Secretary, Department of Social Justice, has clarified that the Kerala Federation of the Blind (KFB) will not be allowed further financial grants in the name of Project Insight, unless the organisation produces evidence to show how the funds allowed for the project has actually helped the scheme’s beneficiaries.
The Social Justice Director has been asked to conduct a detailed inquiry on how the ₹1.13 crore allowed to KFB between 2013-2017 under Project Insight, was utilised and how many blind persons were assisted to be self-sufficient, as envisaged under the scheme.
Till the report is submitted, further funds cannot be allowed for the scheme, Mr. Prabhakar said. A decision as to whether the project should remain with the KFB will be taken only on the basis of the report, he said.
Project Insight is a scheme of the Social Justice Department, which envisages utilising information technology to help the blind live independently. Since the past three years, the scheme was being run by KFB for the department.
Decision deferred
When the proposal came up again in 2017-18 before the working group, seeking ₹53 lakh aid, questions had been raised regarding the project’s evaluation so far. As the Social Justice Department did not have information on the scheme’s conduct or the number of persons helped under Project Insight, the working group deferred a decision on the proposal seeking funds.
