Bengaluru: The state government has no intentions of calling a halt to populist schemes, for it is contemplating the launch of “Vastra bhagya” to hand out handloom sarees for women and dhotis for men belonging to BPL families next fiscal, according to minister for textiles Babu Rao Chinchansur.
He told the media that the new scheme could cost the state exchequer about Rs 100 crores to Rs 150 crores every year though no decision was taken whether to distribute these clothes at subsidised price or free. A similar scheme was launched in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh where sarees and dhotis were distributed to poor families during three important festivals. The Tamil Nadu model would be studied to weigh the pros and cons of its implementation in Karnataka.
“We are planning to distribute sarees and blouses for ladies and dhotis, shirts and towels for men. A detailed proposal is being worked out which will be submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for inclusion in the budget for the year 2016-17,” he added.
The minister said there were 1.25 lakh working power looms, 75,000 working hand loom and around 10,000 manual looms at 1,000 co-operative societies. These units could produce sufficient quantity of hand loom sarees and dhotis for one crore plus BPL families.
Funds were not a constraint as the Chief Minister was very much in favor of launching this scheme from 2016-17. "Our department will select three important festivals during which sarees and dhotis will be given to poor families. In all probability, it may be given free of cost", he added.
Darshan Bhagya for devotees: Now book temple services online
Here’s good news for net-savvy devotees waiting for special darshan or to offer special pooja at famous temples across Karnataka: They could do it with the click of the mouse! The temples covered under the new online facility through Karnataka and Bangalore One centres include one of Mookambika at Kollur, Kukke Subramanya, Male Mahadeshwara temple, Sri Chamundeshwari temple in Mysuru, Sri Srikanteshwara temple in Nanjangud, Banashankari temple, Bengaluru, Sri Huligemma Devi temple, Sri Renuka Yemmalla temple, Mandarti Sri Durga Parameshwari, and Sri Durga Parameshwari temple in Mangaluru. Besides, accommodation at Karnataka state choultry, Tirumala, could be booked online, according to muzrai minister, Mr T B Jayachandra.
He told media persons that it was the first of its kind online service for booking special pooja or making an offering to the deity, or seek accommodation and make payment through debit/credit cards or net banking.
It was launched by the department of endowment in association with e-governance department primarily to curb the role of middlemen in these 11 temples which were generating revenue in excess of Rs one crore every year.
For details, log into the website www.bangaloreone.gov.in and book special pooja, or offering to deities in these 11 temples.
