The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : LPG connection for SC,ST families in BPL category

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Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

LPG connection for SC,ST families in BPL category

Special Correspondent

10,000 families will get the connections in 15 months

Deputy commissioners will identify the beneficiaries
The connections will be given in phases

Bangalore: The State Government will sanction LPG connections to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe families living below the poverty line at the earliest.

A decision to this effect was taken at a review meeting of the Social Welfare Department on Monday.

Minister for Social Welfare A. Narayanaswamy presided over the meeting, which discussed the development works taken up for the benefit of SCs, STs.

Briefing presspersons after the meeting, Mr. Narayanaswamy said 10,000 families would get the connections in 15 months.

Deputy commissioners would be directed to identify the beneficiaries, and connections would be given in phases. Mr. Narayanaswamy expressed displeasure over the delay in the construction of houses for the poor.

It was pointed out that many of the Asare houses for flood victims in north Karnataka had not been handed over so far.

The Minister instructed officials to construct around 8,000 houses under the Vajpayee housing scheme for SC, ST families living below the poverty line. A sum of Rs. 10 lakh each would be given to all town panchayats and municipal bodies to develop infrastructure in areas dominated by SC, ST families.

On the functioning of vigilance committees in the districts, Mr. Narayanaswamy said the Deputy Commissioner should convene the meeting of the committee once in three months.

Grant

Every year, the Social Welfare Department provided a grant of Rs. 5 crore to the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement Squad (CRE), but the cells confined their activities to checking caste certificates.

He said the cells should play a more proactive role. “Officials of the CRE Cell can review the progress of work and the use of funds under the special component plan. They can also complain against officials of departments that fail to implement programmes,” he said.

The Minister said that officers of the rank of Superintendent of Police of CRE Cell should visit all departments and review the progress of schemes meant for SCs, STs and submit a report.

Representatives of nearly 190 municipal bodies, except the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike attended the meeting.

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