BCC gives Rs 20 as grant-in-aid!

BANGALORE: The city -based Kasturba Child Welfare Centre gets Rs 30 a month as grant-in-aid from BCC. Chamarajpet''s Gandhi Hindi Shikshana Shala gets Rs 20. But an inconspicuous Gopalakara Sangha gets Rs 75,000 a year.
Every year, the BCC revises grant-in-aid given to institutions, some of whose credentials are suspect. In 2002-03, the grants-in-aid totalled Rs 26 lakh.In 2004-05, it nearly trebled to Rs 74 lakh. While the highest grant given was Rs 20 lakh last year, the least was Rs 15! According to sources, choosing institutions and deciding the grant-in-aid is the prerogative of the elected representatives. Most often, funds go to the wrong pockets — the undeserving organisations.
For instance, Gopalakara Sangha in Seshadripuram was allotted Rs 75,000 last year, up from Rs 50,000. This was to "encourage cows with good yield and to maintain them". Inconspicuous Kannada balagas get Rs 10,000. On the contrary, Gokhale Institute of Public Affairs, Basavangudi, gets Rs 10,000 a year; St John''s Ambulance Association Rs 2,000; Mysore Riyasat Hindi Prachara Samithi Rs 500. If it''s Karaga, then organisations have a field day: The BCC grants Rs 10 lakh for "decorating" Sampangi tank and Rs 5 lakh for festivities.
But several worthy organisations such as Speech and Hearing Institute, Mythic Society, Kannada Sahitya Parishat and Chitrakala Parishat are making do with Rs 10,000 and Rs 25,000 a year. Even Bharat Scouts and Guides and Chinmaya Mission Hospital get a measly Rs 1,000 a year.
"What''s the point in sanctioning Rs 15, Rs 20 and Rs 30 a month to institutions? It is as good as nothing. Thousands and lakhs of rupees are given to unknown associations but these institutions, thriving on charities, are not considered," officials said. Some of these institutions have been in existence for decades. Over the years, BCC has not revised grants. "Some organisations have been dubbed ''non-performing'', hence their grants have not been revised."