Udupi: Release of handbook on information about various government schemes

Report by Eugene Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 12 February 2010: The handbook containing information about various government schemes implemented by the Udupi Zilla Panchayat and how individuals or groups of individuals can avail the benefits under these schemes and programmes was released on Monday, 8th February 2010 at 4pm at Shesha Shayana Hall, Kidiyur Hotel by Mr. Ishwarappa, Karnataka State President of the BJP during the function of handing over the charge to Mr. Udaya Kumar Shetty as the President of Udupi District BJP Committee.

The programme of releasing the handbook was attended by Dr. V.S. Acharya, Home Minister, Mr. Sadananda Gowda, MP, all BJP MLAs of Udupi District and Mr. Kota Srinivas Poojary and Mr. Ganesh Karnik, MLCs. There were also a number local BJP leaders and representatives in the programme.

The handbook containing information about various government schemes and the benefits that the individuals can avail through Zilla Panchayats was compiled by Mr. Gerald Fernandes, President of the Social Justice Committee, Udupi Zilla Panchayat when he was the in-charge President of the Udupi Zilla Panchayat. The handbook was sponsored by Mr. Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLC and Mr. Upendra Nayak, Udupi Zilla Panchayat Member.

The handbook is a very useful and important tool for the social workers and individuals. This handbook not only gives information regarding 22 government departments including the Right to Information Act and National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme but also how the individuals can avail the benefits from these departments. The handbook lists the various benefits and facilities available through various departments such as agriculture, horticulture, education, women and child welfare, housing, health and family welfare backwards castes and minority programmes, social welfare, fisheries, social forestry, scheduled tribes development programme, etc.

By compiling this useful handbook, Mr. Gerald Fernandes has tried to enlighten the social workers who can explain various government schemes to the illiterate and uneducated people and help them in obtaining the prescribed concessions or benefits from various government departments.