Udupi: Pictures of participants of the army recruitment rally sleeping on the road began to make rounds on social media and drew the attention of former Karnataka minister, Pramod Madhwaraj.
The army recruitment rally that usually lasts for 10 days brings in people from all over the country. The recruitment process is usually held at the Mahatma Gandhi district stadium. The pitiful state of young aspirants lying on the road attracted the attention of some ministers and invited criticism.
Former Karnataka minister, Pramod Madhwaraj alerted the Prime Minister through his tweet about the dire situation and stated that the defence ministry should create a scheme to provide food and shelter for these aspirants. He also alerted the Udupi Deputy Commissioner who in turn told Pramod Madhwaraj that arrangements have been made but the young boys are not utilising these facilities. He also added that he has asked the police to make the young boys aware of the locations where these arrangements have been made.
I had a talk with @dcudupi and he said that food and shelter has been arranged in various places but the young boys are not utilising the facilities fully . He has asked the police to guide them to various locations where arrangements have been made . https://t.co/xgVeCKd1uy
— Pramod Madhwaraj (@PMadhwaraj) March 19, 2021
The Deputy Director of Youth empowerment and sports department said that they prefer to sleep within the proximity of the maidan as it is easier for them to wake up early.
After the meeting was convened by the district administration on March 19, it was decided that more accommodations for these participants will be made, and the police were instructed to prevent the aspirants from sleeping on the streets.