Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (MM/GA)

Beltangady, Apr 14: "After 6 decades of independence, we are still grappling with the scourge of poverty, mal-nutrition, illiteracy and deceases with sub-optimal, human development index ranking of 126. To overcome these problems faced by the country, we need development that promotes growth," said Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, vice-president of India.

He was speaking after inaugurating the silver jubilee celebration of Shree Kshetra Dharmastala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) at Dharmasthala on Saturday April 14.

Our public programmes aimed at emancipating the poor ought to be effective, implemented benefiting the targeted beneficiaries. Needs and aspirations of the poor can be met only when public administration becomes people oriented, he opined.

Corruption tends to create mal-administration and in the process the concerns and priority of the poor gets relegated to the background. Reforms in the public governance are fundamental to any strategy towards alleviation of poverty, he added.

New projects of SKDRDP ‘Sujnana Nidhi’ scholarship scheme, ‘Kamadhenu’ cattle research centre, ‘Navachatana’ for helping institutions working for differently-abled children were launched by the vice-president at the function.

M V Rajashekharan, union minister for planning said “youth are not getting necessary guidance at the rural level. Projects like SKDRDP are fulfilling these needs and uplifting the rural conditions.”

T N Chaturvedi, governor of Karnataka, released the silver jubilee commemoration volume of SKDRDP.

District in-charge-minister B Nagaraj Shetty, Chikamagalur MP D C Shrikanthappa, Beltangady MLA Prabhakara Bangera was present at the function.

Veerendra Heggade, president of SKDRDP welcomed the gathering. Jayalakshmi led the prayer. Dr L H Manjunath proprosed the vote of thanks.