State Govt's schemes for minorities aimed at elimination of poverty: Minister

Mangalore, August 29: District-in-charge Minister Krishna J Palemar said that all the schemes of State Government for minorities are aimed at eliminating poverty from the society.

He was speaking after inaugurating the cheque distribution programme for the beneficiaries of various schemes under Karnataka State Minorities Development Corporation Limited (KMDC) at Town Hall here on Monday.

Mr Palemar termed the occasion as 'bonus' for the minority communities as cheques were distributed days prior to the Eid-ul-Fitr festival.

Lauding the efforts of the State Government for the benefit of minorities, he said, as many as98 taxis and 3600 auto-rickshaws have been provided to the minorities by KMDC all across the state in order to make them self-sufficient.

Speaking about the phenomenal success of micro-credit programs, he said that 75% of the money lent by KMDC has been paid back.

He also said the Government was considering a proposal to provide a monthly pension of Rs 1000 to underprivileged women above 50 years of age.

N B Aboobakar, President, KMDC was appreciative of the works of the State Government and said that KMDC has recorded more people oriented activities in the last three years than in the past 22.

He said that KMDC has received ample funds from the current State Government and was distributing it among more than 15 projects under its banner. KMDC has also distributed educational loans under 'Arivu' scheme for over 41 courses.

Mr Aboobakar said a total of Rs 1.45 crore will be distributed among 1094 beneficiaries under various schemes in four Legislative Assembly constituencies of the district namely Mangalore, Mangalore-South, Mangalore-North and Mulky-Moodbidri.

He also found it necessary that the government should increase its funds for KMDC, in order to provide more effective benefits for the minority community.

Three pump sets and cheques for minority self-help groups were distributed during the occasion.

Yogish Bhat, Deputy Speaker, Legislative Assembly, Anwar Manippadi, President, Karnataka State Minorities Commission, U T Khader, MLA, Mangalore, K Abhaychandra Jain, MLA, Mulky-Moodbidri, Dr K N Vijayaprakash, CEO, Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, K T Shailaja Bhat, President, Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat were among those present.