Minister for Social Welfare H. Anjaneya on Saturday appealed to the people to shun blind beliefs such as the made snana ritual at Kukke Subramanya temple in Dakshina Kannada.
Addressing presspersons here on Saturday, Mr. Anjaneya condemned the practice saying it was inhuman and foolish.
“I do not know what to call those people who participated in the ritual — fools or intelligent people. They should realise that rolling over the leftover food of others will further infect their skin and not cure them of skin diseases as is believed.”
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The Minister said such blind beliefs could not be eradicated just by legislations. “There should be awareness among the people that in this age of technological and medical advances, rolling over leftover food eaten by others will only give them infections.”
He said it was unfortunate that people were following the ritual despite several seers and religious leaders proclaiming that the practice was inhuman.
SC, ST sub-plans BillADVERTISEMENT
Mr. Anjaneya said the Karnataka Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan (Planning, Allocation and Utilisation of Financial Resources) Bill 2013, which was passed in the recent Belgaum session of the legislature, would come into effect from the next financial year.
“Guidelines for implementing the Bill would be framed soon, and I will personally monitor the implementation,” he said.
The Bill has been drafted with an aim to prevent diversion of funds and ensure that the allocated funds are spent for the schemes that directly benefit the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe population, he said.
Mr. Anjaneya said officials found guilty of diversion of funds or non-utilisation of funds would be liable to an imprisonment of six months. In a case where the allocation has not been spent in a particular year, the amount would be added to the next year’s allocation, but could not be carried over beyond that year, he said.
Blood donation driveHe said a blood donation drive held as part of B.R. Ambedkar’s death anniversary across the State attracted 564 donors from all communities.