Second phase of Kerala CM`s Mass Contact programme ends

Kochi: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy heard the grievances of as many as 14,248 complainants and disbursed over Rs 2.5 crore as financial aid to the needy, as the second phase of Mass Contact programme concluded on Saturday.

A total of 252 families of a colony near Fort Kochi, who had waited 30 years to get title deeds after being evicted from their homes to set up INS Dronacharya, the training school of the Indian Navy, received it from Chandy. Defying protocol, the Chief Minister walked into the midst of the people, who had queued up since 9 am yesterday to meet him. In the 17-hour-long sitting of the Mass Contact programme, some people also reached in ambulances, wheelchairs and stretchers seeking medical help. An auto-rickshaw driver came with his two daughters aged 13 years and 4 years, both affected by cerebral palsy, seeking financial aid from the Chief Minister, who sanctioned Rs two lakh for the treatment of the two girls. Later, Chandy also reviewed the construction work of the Kochi Metro at various places here.