THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The complaints of nearly 16,000 persons in Thiruvananthapuram district were addressed at the opening session of ‘Karuthal 2015,’ the third-edition of the Chief Minister’s mass contact programme. Financial assistance to the tune of Rs 4 crore was allotted to thousands of people.
The majority of the complaints pertained to medical assistance. Relief of up to Rs 2 lakh and free treatment were offered to some.
Vehicles to the physically challenged, free electricity and power connections, waving of bank loans and financial aid for self-employment were also given by the Chief Minister.
Many difficult cases were kept aside to be sorted out with the direct intervention of the Chief Minister.
The people thronged the venue from early morning. By 9.30 a.m., the Chief Minister inaugurated the programme and started accepting petitions which continued till late into the night.
Of the 16,253 petitions received online, about 15,810 were examined in advance. Hence, many could collect their assistance from the counters of the respective departments set up at the venue.
The Chief Minister later walked into the crowd, accepted petitions and gave necessary instructions to the officials. Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar also considered a number of cases.
The applicants also included the late actor Sathyan's son Jeevan Sathyan who pleaded for relief from huge loans availed of for the education of children and other purposes.
Several bedridden patients were brought to the venue in ambulances. Various departments had opened counters. Service organisations offered food and water to the people.
Mr Chandy surprised many by attending to the public for over 12 hours. The only food he had in between were four glasses of tender coconut water and two cups of oats that were brought from his house.
