Implementation of Chandranna Pelli Kanuka for prospective couples from villages bordering the neighbouring Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu States is under discussion, said Secretary to Chief Minister M. Girija Shankar, on Saturday. Under the scheme, the government extends financial support to prospective brides from families under below poverty line.
Addressing a training programme for Sadhikara Mitras, Mr. Girija Shankar said the self-help group leaders given the new role of Sadhikara Mitras were expected to bind the benefactor and the beneficiaries of the many State-sponsored welfare programmes. They should act as a bridge between the government and people of the State, he said.
He said in line with the aspirations of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to create a happy and ideal society, one Sadhikara Mitra was appointed for every 25 families in need of help. These ‘Mitras’ should develop rapport with the families, know and study their problems and educate them on the need to obtain caste and birth certificates to be able to benefit from the government schemes, he said.
He said Class X certificate was considered as date of birth certificate while ration card as income certificate. For early solution of problems, one could call the toll free Parishkara Vedika number (1100).
Awareness programmes
The Chief Minister wanted to strengthen the administration by formulating policies based on the needs of people at the grass root level. The feedback given by Sadhikara Mitras would be very crucial for the State to base their policies on, he said.
Education and Health sectors, he said, were crucial and schemes like mid-day-meal and distribution of cycles to girl students were aimed at improving the literacy standards.
Since the possibility of outbreak of diseases is more in the current rainy season, Mr. Girija Shankar wanted the Sadhikara Mitras to take up awareness programmes in villages and stress on the need for hygiene and cleanliness.
‘Master check-up’
The medical programme ‘Mahila Master Check-up’ was aimed at protecting the health of women and due to constant efforts of the government, the rate of mother-child deaths had come down, he said.
Families that had not been covered under Chandranna Bima programme should be identified and registered, he said, adding that the government was working on many more initiatives that would help the needy sections raise their standard of living.
MEPMA Project Director Chinathathaiah, Karuna Murthy from Dr. NTR Health University, and others also spoke.