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Community Development

Corporation to diversify projects for physically challenged

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The New Indian Express     06.08.2013 

Corporation to diversify projects for physically challenged

Till now, as part of the project, the Corporation has given away 80 tri-scooters of the total 103 and the remaining ones will be distributed soon after the registration process. | EPS
Till now, as part of the project, the Corporation has given away 80 tri-scooters of the total 103 and the remaining ones will be distributed soon after the registration process. | EPS

Changing with the times, from next year onwards, the City Corporation is planning to diversify its projects for providing aids for people challenged with various physical disabilities. It will seek permission from the government to include different kinds of aids in the distribution programmes. The thought came in the wake of not getting the expected response for the allotment of tricycles.

“We had expected nearly 300 people to turn up for getting the tricycles and Rs 10 lakh was set aside. But, finally, we got only six people and less than Rs 80,000 had to be spent for buying the aids. Hence, from next year onwards, we may go for distributing hearing aids, walking sticks attached with a bell, wheel-chairs etc, depending on obtaining government nod,” said Palayam Rajan, Welfare Standing Committee chairman of the City Corporation.

All six tricycles were received by the beneficiaries on Monday. Thirty tri-scooters were also distributed as part of the ‘Sahayahastham’ project for the physically challenged on the occasion. Till now, as part of the project, the Corporation has given away 80 tri-scooters of the total 103 and the remaining ones will be distributed soon after the registration process, which is expected to be done this month, is over.

Meanwhile, to give away the talking computers for the visually impaired, the Corporation will hold talks with banks and charitable organisations to pool in the beneficiary contribution as the selected beneficiaries cannot find that big amounts on their own. 

Monday’s programme held at the Corporation office was inaugurated by Mayor K Chandrika and presided over by Deputy Mayor G Happykumar. Standing committee chairpersons were also present.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 06 August 2013 11:47
 

MC conducts training workshop

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The Times of India                  07.06.2013

MC conducts training workshop

CHANDIGARH: The municipal corporation on Thursday organised a workshop on strengthening and reviewing progress on skill training for employment promotion amongst urban poor (STEP-UP). The objective was to strengthen the process taken up by skill training institutions in training urban poor youth under government flagship programmes. 

 

Displaced slum-dwellers out on a limb for 17 days

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The Hindu                         08.03.2013

Displaced slum-dwellers out on a limb for 17 days

Staff Report 

144 families desperately seek temporary shelter.

Dozens of slum-dwellers from Laggere, who were recently displaced from their homes as part of a slum rejuvenation project, staged a protest outside the office of the Karnataka Slum Development Board here on Thursday demanding immediate relief.

Over a fortnight ago, bulldozers hired by the board razed 144 huts in the Lakshmidevi slum in Laggere, displacing at least 500 people. The demolition drive was part of a project funded by the JNNURM to replace the low-quality huts with multi-storeyed apartments for the poor.

However, even 17 days after being rendered homeless, they have not been provided temporary shelter. Speaking on behalf of the protesters, A. Jyothi, State president of the National Federation of Indian Women, said the board contractors had been tasked with building 100 temporary sheds for the displaced. But they have only built 54, she said. “First, the contract should have been for 144 sheds. The least they [Slum Board] could have ensured is that the contractors finished the project in good time. How long does it take to set up 100 tin sheds,” she asked.

Poor quality

The protesters also complained that the quality of the sheds constructed was very poor. “The metal sheets [for the sheds] are corroded. They don’t look new,” said one woman. “They have been paid Rs. 16,600 per shed as per information we got under RTI,” Ms. Jyothi said, while alleging that the quality of the construction doesn’t reflect the money spent.

Others complained that basic facilities such as water and sanitation have not yet been provided. “There is only one plastic water tank for all of us. We are not able to use even this as the water tank has not been mounted. There is one toilet for every 15 huts,” said Ms. Jyothi. The board officials could not be contacted for a response.

 


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