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The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Kudumbashree to roll out ‘Ma Care' kiosks in Kerala schools
Kudumbashree that has made a name for itself with quality products manufactured by its microenterprises is making its presence felt on school campuses in Kerala too. Exemplifying the attention provided by mothers to the needs of their children, the Poverty Eradication and Women Empowerment Mission is making available stationery items needed by students through its 'Ma Care' kiosks in schools under the General Education department that have high schools and higher secondary sections. These kiosks will also store snacks and beverages, akin to canteens seen in unaided schools, besides sanitary napkins needed by girl students. Piloted in Kasaragod The project was piloted in Kasaragod district two years ago and was implemented in Kannur as a project of the district panchayat. The positive response to the venture in the two districts has led to its roll-out across the State. The Ma Care kiosks are more about food, say Kudumbashree officials. Students, they say, are often in need of pens, pencils, notebooks, and material for their projects. The kiosks will provide these to them on the school campus itself, thus reducing dependency on outside shops. Same with snacks and beverages. Many students partake themselves of such food outside campus, but hygiene remains a cause for concern. The Ma Care kiosks will provide unadulterated and quality snacks and tea and other beverages to students. There is no fixed menu, though the emphasis is on healthy snacks such as steamed items. In some places, students who are unable to bring food have also asked for packed meals to be provided to them. The Ma Care kiosks will consider such requests depending on what the school authorities and the Kudumbashree entrepreneurs decide. Sanitary napkins are another product that will find a place on the shelves of Ma Care kiosks. Teachers, Kudumbashree officials, say often purchase and stock these for students who may need them urgently. The kiosks will address this issue too. If there is not enough space to set up the kiosks on school premises, unused classrooms will be put to use. Both the students and the teachers can make purchases from the kiosks at reasonable rates, say the officials. Already in 72 schools The project was operational in 72 schools the past academic year. This year, the goal is to set up the kiosks in at least 1,000 high schools and higher secondary schools. This follows a decision taken at a meeting attended by Minister for Local Self-Governments M.B. Rajesh and Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty in May. Two Kudumbashree women entrepreneurs will man each kiosk, thereby providing regular income and employment for hundreds of Kudumbashree women. It is expected that in the long-term, at least 5,000 Kudumbashree women will be ensured a source of livelihood through 'Ma Care.' The Kudumbashree officials say that crowds of students hanging around shops near campuses may increase the possibility of anti-social acitivity there such as drug peddling. With stationery and snacks available within the school compound, the possibility of children being roped in for such activities is reduced.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
e-cycle initiative first step towards carbon-neutral Kerala: says Minister
Local Self Government Minister M.B. Rajesh on Tuesday said that the electric bicycle (e-cycle) initiative was the first significant step towards making Kerala a carbon-neutral State. He was inaugurating the district-level distribution of e-cycles under a joint project on the Local Self Government department, Energy department, and Union Ministry of Rural Development. Addressing the function held at the Kannur district panchayat auditorium, the Minister said the project aimed to not only reduce carbon emissions but also empower women, especially Kudumbashree members, by improving their mobility, reducing travel cost, and promoting entrepreneurship. 'The e-cycle project will significantly improve the quality of life of women. It is a move towards sustainable development with social impact,' he said. The project, which forms part of the Carbon Neutral Kerala initiative, involves distributing e-cycles to 350 Kudumbashree members in 71 rural community development societies in Kannur. Each e-cycle, valued at ₹40,000 is being given by collecting a beneficiary share of ₹3,000. Minister for Registration, Museum and Archaeology Ramachandran Kadannappally, who presided over the function, said Kerala had always been quick to adapt to change. 'e-Cycles will become a transformative project, setting an example in green mobility,' he said.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Kottayam becomes Kerala's first district to eradicate extreme poverty
The Kerala government's mission to eliminate extreme poverty achieved a major milestone on Saturday, with Kottayam becoming the first district in the State to be officially declared free of extreme poverty. Minister for Local Self-Governments M.B. Rajesh made the announcement at a function held in Kottayam. 'One of the first decisions taken by this government in 2021 was to eliminate extreme poverty by November 1, 2025. A Statewide survey conducted through Kudumbashree identified 64,006 families living in extreme poverty. Today, 93% of those families have been uplifted from that condition. The progress made by Kerala has drawn attention from across the country. In fact, such a targeted effort has only been seen previously in China,' the Minister said. From October 2021 According to V.N. Vasavan, Minister for Ports and Devaswom, the district has reached this milestone through a structured, four-year-long process under the Extreme Poverty Eradication Project (EPEP), launched in October 2021. The effort involved comprehensive data collection and community participation, with 1,344 enumeration teams and 2,688 enumerators assessing hardship based on food security, health, income, and housing. Kottayam became the first district to complete the poverty assessment on January 10, 2022. The final survey identified 903 individuals living in extreme poverty. A total of 978 micro-plans were then prepared and implemented through local self-government bodies to address their needs. Measures adopted Support provided included food kits, cooked meals for 605 families, medicines for 693 families, and palliative care services for 206. Health and safety supplies were distributed to six families. Income-generation support was extended to 156 families through various initiatives including Kudumbashree's Ujjivanam project, local bodies, and private partners. Housing assistance was given to 67 families lacking shelter and 50 families who needed both land and housing. Another 22 families were moved to rented homes. Additionally, 490 beneficiaries were helped to obtain key documents such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and bank accounts. Educational support included free bus passes and study materials for 55 students. The project also took steps to rehabilitate and assist persons with mental health issues and those who were homeless or wandering.
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Reward for reporting waste dumping gets heftier
In a measure aimed at encouraging the public to report instances of waste dumping to the authorities, the Local Self-Government department has removed the clause regarding the maximum amount that can be awarded for those who report such cases with evidence. As per an order issued by the department on Thursday, those who report such cases will get one-fourth of the fine amount imposed. The government has decided to remove the current maximum limit of ₹2,500. Minister for Local Self-Governments M.B. Rajesh said in a press release on Friday that with the revised order, those who report serious crimes with evidence will get a higher reward. He directed the local self-government institutions to ensure that everyone who provides information with evidence gets a reward. Haritha Karma Sena members, National Service Scheme volunteers, Student Police Cadets, and college students will also be made part of this monitoring system. More complaints are being received on the WhatsApp number 9446700800. A special control room has been set up in the Principal Directorate of the LSGD to monitor this properly and take action. So far, 8,674 complaints regarding garbage dumping in public places have been received through the WhatsApp number. Out of this, 5,361 complaints received with accurate information have been accepted. In 4,525 cases, action has been taken, including removing the garbage (84.41%). In 439 cases received with details and evidence of the garbage dumpers, a fine of ₹33.5 lakh has been imposed. Prosecution proceedings have also been initiated against 31 people based on the information received through WhatsApp. The highest number of complaints is reported from Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram districts. The least is in Wayanad district. Individuals and institutions are currently fined up to ₹5,000 for dumping or burning waste. Those who discharge sewage into public places or waterbodies are liable to a fine of ₹5,000 to ₹50,000. Dumping waste in waterbodies is an offence punishable by a fine of ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 and imprisonment of six months to one year. The penalty for selling banned plastic is a fine of ₹10,000 to ₹50,000. Illegal transportation of waste or septage in vehicles will result in action including confiscation of the vehicle.
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
State government formulates action plan to address waste management issues in capital
The State government has formulated a detailed action plan to address waste management issues in Thiruvananthapuram. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Minister for Local Self-Governments (LSG) M.B. Rajesh in the presence of Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran and other LSGD officials. Special Secretary of the Local Self-Government department T.V. Anupama will be responsible for implementing the action plan. The progress of the action plan will be assessed weekly under the leadership of the Special Secretary. Mr. Rajesh said that a permanent solution will be found for waste management issues in the capital within four months. A compressed biogas (CBG) plant for treatment of biodegradable waste will be set up in partnership with the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL). This plant will be completed within a year and a half. The capacity of the existing Rapid Convert System will be increased to 50 tonnes to enable faster processing of biowaste. The modern abattoir at Kunnukuzhy will be inaugurated by the end of the month. A special plan will be formulated and implemented to collect and dispose of poultry waste properly. Detailed investigation A detailed investigation will be conducted regarding the forward linkage of private agencies collecting organic waste. The municipality and the Suchitwa Mission will jointly examine whether waste is being collected illegally and whether there are systems to manage the collected waste. The Minister also directed to strengthen enforcement activities against dumping waste. Prosecution proceedings will be initiated against those who have not yet paid the fines imposed for dumping waste. The Minister also directed to take strict action in cooperation with the police against those who are accused of more serious offences. Sufficient container Material Collection Facilities (MCF) will be established as a primary storage system for non-biodegradable waste. Currently, 20 container MCFs have been established. A detailed transportation plan will be prepared to transport the collected non-biodegradable waste. Within three weeks, 100 e-autos will be made available to the Harithakarma Sena for this purpose. The Harithakarma Sena volunteers will also be trained in driving these e-autos. Four large covered vehicles will also be ready for waste collection soon. Bulk waste generators The meeting also decided to prepare detailed guidelines for collecting waste from bulk waste generators. Arrangements will be made to collect waste daily from institutions that generate large amounts of non-biodegradable waste. Notices will be issued to large institutions immediately, instructing them to hand over the waste to an agency designated by the Corporation. The Minister also directed to take action to cancel the licenses of institutions that do not hand over waste properly. It was decided that the Harithakarma Sena will continue to collect waste from institutions that have to collect and remove waste only once a week (small institutions).
