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Anti-poverty schemes failed to reach the needy: Rangasamy

By Our Staff Reporter

Pondicherry Nov. 11. The Chief Minister, N. Rangasamy, has said that though a number of schemes, evolved by both the Central and Union Territory Governments, are being implemented to eradicate poverty and to enhance the living conditions of the poor, they have not reached the targeted groups for want of publicity.

Inaugurating a one-day conference of the Pondicherry Urban Development Agency (PUDA) on `Swarna Jayanthi Shahari Rojgar Yojana' (Golden jubilee urban employment scheme) here today, Mr. Rangasamy said Pondicherry had been implementing a large number of schemes for the economic empowerment of the poor and women. While subsidies were released on time, banks were observing `unnecessary formalities' to sanction loans. The procedures for sanctioning loans should be simplified. As the Government alone would not be able to give jobs to unemployed youth, self-employment projects should be encouraged and the banks had to play a vital role in this endeavour.

A number of schemes were lying in cold storage and funds earmarked remaining idle as the beneficiaries were unaware of them. In many instances, unused funds were surrendered, Mr. Rangasamy said.

The Deputy Speaker, A.V. Subramanian, demanded setting up of a separate board for women.

The PUDA Project Director, P. Jayarajan, said as much as Rs. 9 crores, allotted under anti-poverty schemes, was lying idle. The conference was aimed at getting feedback from members of self-help groups and voluntary organisations as to how best the schemes could be evolved for full use of the funds.

The Social Welfare Minister, M. Chandirakasu, who was chairman of the PUDA, presided. The BJP MLA, A. M. Krishnamoorthy, the DMK MLA, R. Siva, and A. Malla Reddy, Deputy Director of the Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies, Osmania University, Hyderabad, were present.

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