PANAJI
Charitable trust Street Providence has claimed it submitted all utilization certificates to the State government but continues to face a funding shortfall, prompting its decision to shut down operations from August-end.
“All Utilization Certificates are given to the government - six to the Women and Child Development Department (WCD) and four to the Directorate of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (EPwD) (sent in the month of June). All are sent to the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant today (Monday). One UC is pending due to the lapse of my staff and this will be given tomorrow (Tuesday),” a representative of the trust told The Goan, when contacted for comments.
The Trust accused the government of inadequate financial support despite assurances in the State budget. It claimed that the Rs 50 lakh received in June was meant to cover four months from April to July and it was far from sufficient. According to him, Street Providence currently cares for 150 total inmates—men and women.
The Trust also drew comparisons with government-run Provedoria, which it said receives Rs 60,000 per inmate, while Street Providence operates on a fraction of that amount.
“We still provide better facilities such as trainers for all sectors and even a 24/7 lady doctor for women inmates. We even celebrate each inmate’s birthday with gifts—additional ones for the women. This is not even done in government institutes,” the source said.
