New ration cards by Jan. 1

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, OCT. 17. New ration cards will be distributed in the State from January 1, 2002, the Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Mr. G. Karthikeyan, told the Assembly today.

Replying to the questions of Mr. P. Jayarajan, Mr. M.V. Govindan Master and Mr. V.K.C. Mammed Koya, the Minister said that as a first step in distributing the cards, declaration has been collected from the card-holders. So far, the Government has got 63,71,080 declaration forms.

More details have been included in the new card and steps have been taken to print the first few pages with the aid of computer. About 30 per cent of the work has been completed. The cards are being printed in Keltron, Kudumbasree, Kerala State Reprographics Centre, and Government presses, he said.

District Collectors and district supply officers are holding camps to provide ration cards to the tribals who have not yet got them.

Manaviyam: Mr. Karthikeyan, who holds the charge of Culture, said the Government had spent Rs.164.78 lakhs for the Manaviyam cultural festivals. This does not include the amount collected through sponsorship from various sectors. The Government gave Rs.160 lakhs for Manaviyam.

A sum of Rs.9.51 lakhs was spend for `Kelikottu', Rs.75,000 for traveling expenses, Rs.9.07 lakhs as remuneration for artistes in the State and Rs.25.35 lakhs for those who came from other States. The traveling expenses of artistes from other States itself came to Rs.12.58 lakhs, he said.

Pilgrims: The Government has given directive to various departments to provide all facilities to Sabarimala pilgrims, Mr. Karthikeyan said. The Chief Minister, Mr. A.K. Antony, and Mr. Karthikeyan himself had held meetings of the officials concerned. More forest land has been provided for accommodating the pilgrims. One more cardiology unit would be opened at Neelimala. Oxygen cylinders would be provided and Ayyappa Seva Sanghom volunteers would be trained for providing medical aid.

A sewage treatment plant would be set up at Pampa. The construction would be completed before the Sabarimala season begins. More facilities would be provided in view of the heavy rush of pilgrims, he said.

Devaswom staff: Steps have been taken to provide the benefits due to devaswom employees on time. The Malabar Devaswom Management Fund and rules have been formed to provide salary arrears to the employees, he said.

All complaints against the Travancore Devaswom Board members and the former president, Mr. V.G.K. Menon, have been referred for Vigilance inquiry, he said.

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