Kerala CM's mass contact programme begins tomorrow

Unfazed by the onslaught of CPI(M)-led LDF opposition on various issues, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is all set to begin the third-leg of the much acclaimed state-wide mass contact programme tomorrow.
The popularity of the programme, where petitioners are called in the order of their meeting time with the CM and information on settled decisions announced on the spot itself, can be gauged from the fact that more than two lakh online petitions have been received so far.
The Thiruvanathapuram phase of the programme will begin at 9 am here tomorrow. A total of 16,253 petitions have been received in the district. The programme, stretching over next two months, would end in Kollam on June 4, officials said.

Referring to the programme, Chandy, in a booklet "A Mission for the Masses", said a lot people had benefitted from it, but that the maximum benefit was for him.
"Once again, I was able to come face to face with people at the grassroots in the state," he said.
"In the backdrop of our experience in the second edition of the programme in 2013, we look forward to changes that add value and purpose to the lives of the common man," he said.

On the LDF protest against the programme, Chandy said their boycotting it was purely politically motivated. By doing so, they had lost an opportunity to understand the issues of the people from close quarters, he added.

Among the total petitions received, 66,083 persons applied for assistance from the Chief Minister's relief fund, about 30,000 sought houses and 20,000 wanted sanction for BPL cards.
When the programme was first launched in 2011, about Rs 20.82 crore was disbursed to 2.97 lakh applicants. The second phase saw about Rs 55.10 crore financial aid disbursed.
The programme also brought Chandy to international focus with UNDP honouring him with United Nations Public Service Award in 2013 for strengthening democratic initiatives.
UDF has been under attack by the rival Front over solar scam and the bar bribery case in which Finance Minister K M Mani has been accused of accepting bribe from bar owners. LDF has been on the warpath, demanding the FM's resignation.