The info centre is an initiative of "Daksha Samuha", women forum, under the aegis of Centre for Advocacy and Research.
``An information centre in the midst of a slum settlement is unheard of. I sincerely hope that this will be useful for residents of not only Sanjay Gandhi Nagar but also of the adjoining settlements,” said Justice V V Angadi, Member Secretary, Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, after inaugurating the information centre.
``Now they can avail various social welfare schemes and social entitlements introduced by BBMP and other departments for the underprivileged that remain un-accessed owing to lack of information,’’ he added.
Dr Vasanthi, Assistant Commissioner, Karnataka Slum Clearance Board, said: “Opening of the information centre will be successful only if more and more people use the centre.”
'Opening of the centre is an attempt to ensure that all government schemes are availed by the most vulnerable amongst us”, a member of the forum said.
Shahtaj, member of Daksha Samuha and a resident of another slum, Hawadiagar Colony, also participated along with 100 other women from the nearby areas, “We never had such information centres in slum areas earlier. The government has opened Nemmadi Kendras where most of us cannot go as we lack the money. Since this centre is located within our slum areas and run by women like us, it will not only be accessible but also comfortable for us to approach,” she said.