Corruption and red-tapism which impede the smooth flow of government services to the people are paving the way for public protests in the country, Union Defence Minister A.K.Antony has said.
Inaugurating the `Poverty-Free Kerala’ project for providing 25 kg rice at Rs.1 per kg to families below poverty line (BPL) category at Santhigiri Ashram at Pothencode near here on Saturday morning, Mr.Antony said that welfare schemes being launched by the Central and State governments are getting trapped in corruption and red-tapism. People should get their due benefits from the government. But the growing corruption has eroded the public confidence in the welfare schemes launched by the governments. While announcing such schemes the governments should also show the resolve to provide the benefits to the target groups in a time-bound manner.
While the country is growing at a commendable pace, almost 50 per cent of the population continues to be plagues by poverty and other attendant ills. The gains of the advancements in science and technology, new methods of farming and such others have not yet reached the deprived sections. Unless they reach on a par with the sections which are enjoying the benefits, the country cannot claim of getting developed, he said.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister T.M.Jacob, who presided over the function said that BPL and APL lists will be put up before ration shops so that it will be open to public scrutiny. Stringent action will be taken against hoarding and black-marketing. The government has raised the commission of ration dealers and conceded to most of their demands. The steps initiated to check inflation through effective market intervention during the Onam season will continue. Ration cards have been issued to 5.72 lakh applicants. This included the 3.13 lakh applications which were pending over the years. A system has been introduced to issue cards within a day. The applicant only has to file an affidavit with the application, he said.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who launched the scheme to issue ration cards in a day, said that the government was committed to providing quality service to the public. The new system was introduced to end the delay in issuing the cards. If any applicant files a false affidavit, his card will be cancelled. The government will not allow the majority to suffer for a miniscule minority of people who commit such mistakes. The government will continuously monitor the prices of essentials to check inflation, he said.
Transport Minister V.S.Sivakumar launched the scheme to distribute 5 kg rice to students on government and aided schools during the Onam season.Palode Ravi, MLA, welcomed. Koliyakode Krishnan Nair and M.A.Vahid (MLAs), District Panchayat president Ramani P.Nair, and Santhigiri Ashram general secretary Chaithanya Jnana Thapswi were among those who offered felicitations. EOM/NJN
