KC(M) to hold welfare programmes as KM Mani turns 84

Kottayam: Kerala Congress (M) Saturday said the party will organise a state-wide programme for the poor and needy Sunday, as part of the birthday celebrations of party Chief KM Mani.

Leaders of the KC(M) said, the party will take up 1000 humanitarian projects in select institutions across the state under tomorrow's "Mercy Day" programme as the veteran leader completes 84 years on January 30.

Party Vice Chairman and Lok Sabha MP Jose K Mani said the project, 'Signature of Mercy,' includes distribution of food, dress and medicines for the poor and needy spending their life in institutions like old age homes, hospitals and palliative care centres across the state.

He said, Mani, who has a distinguished political career, had served as minister in various governments for 24 years and introduced many welfare schemes for farmers, workers and poor sections of the Kerala society.

Karunya Lottery Benevolent Scheme meant for providing financial help for lakhs of poor patients was introduced by Mani during his stint as the state Finance Minister in the previous UDF government, he noted.

Jose K Mani also claimed that it was KM Mani who first introduced the pension scheme for farmers and widows in the country.

"Mani has been in forefront for extending humanitarian aid to the poor and needy in Kerala society.

In this context, the Kerala Congress (M) has decided to hold a programme called "Mercy Day" tomorrow as part of birthday celebrations of Mani," he said.

Mani, who has been representing Pala assembly constituency in Kottayam district for more than five decades, had resigned from the post of Finance Minister of the state in November, 2015 following Kerala High court's observations on his alleged involvement in bar bribery case.