L-G proposes toll-free number on Centre’ s schemes

Substantial sum is returned unused every year: Kiran Bedi

Selfie time: Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi taking a selfie at the ‘Modi Fest - Making of Developed India’ at Old Port in Puducherry on Friday.

Inaugurating the three-day Modi Fest – Making of Developed India at Old Port in Puducherry on Friday, Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi proposed a toll-free number for the public to learn about the Centre’s schemes.

She emphasised that a centralised control room should be set up for this purpose. “The department of information and broadcasting can set up this control room. People can contact this toll-free number, which can be termed a guidance number, to learn about schemes. This should be announced in two days before the exhibition concludes,” she said.

Several schemes on offer

Ms. Bedi said there were many schemes for skill development, housing, for construction of toilets, to support farmers, and so on. She called upon the people to avail the benefits by learning about the schemes.

Stating that a substantial sum was being sent back to the Centre last year as the schemes were not fully utilised, she said: “Puducherry gets crores of rupees from the Centre for the centrally-sponsored schemes. If you don’t use it, the money will go back to New Delhi.”

She added that panchayat leaders, commissioners, school principals, and even police officials should come forward to explain these schemes to the people in the villages.

“This exhibition is very useful for the citizens as it provides complete information about all the government schemes,” she said.