THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday allayed fears regarding Janasanthwana project. In a statement here the Chief Minister appealed to people against rushing to taluk offices for submitting applications. Mr Pinarayi’s appeal comes in the wake of elderly people thronging various taluk offices and collectorates across the state to submit applications. An elderly woman died after she collapsed while waiting in queue to submit her application here on Monday. The Chief Minister said the process of constituting the Santhwana Fund meant for providing relief to the marginalised sections and those facing deprivation was still continuing.
He said the guidelines for disbursing financial assistance under the Jansanthwana fund would be announced later. Pinarayi said a special officer has been appointed for preparing detailed project document. “The decision on processing applications will be taken after special officer submits his detailed report,” he said. The Chief Minister said specific guidelines regarding the fund would be published by June 1, 2017 Along with the publication of guidelines, the government will put in place a system to ensure that people don’t face inconvenience. Fresh applications will be invited only after the completion of this process. There is no need to rush with applications to the taluk offices or get panic-stricken. Those who have already submitted applications need not apply again, he said.
People especially the elderly had thronged collectorates and taluk offices to get enrolled in the scheme following misunderstanding and misinformation. Collector S. Venktesapathy said people were under the impression that the last date of submitting applications was March 31. Besides, many gathered at these offices had no idea that the scheme had income criteria. Moreover, they thought it was for all above 60 years. Homeless, those living in Puramboke land, elderly destitute, widows and terminally ill are some categories which would benefit from the scheme.
