Mangaluru: Special package of Rs 10 crore is reserved for the welfare of the Koraga Community said Minister for Social Welfare H Anjaneya in a press meet held at the Deputy commissioner’s office here, on April 16.
Addressing the mediapersons Minister Anjaneya said, “The Congress government, after coming to power has implemented various projects for the development of the backward class and ‘Haadi Vaastavya’, is one among the project where I have to go, spend time and stay with the tribal people. People who are staying in forest areas, do not have basic facilities and they lead a life like the animals. Being aware of the fact, I thought of taking the government to the forest areas. I have completed my “Haadi Vaastavya” and stayed in Chamarajanagar, Mysuru, Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Uttara Kannada and Chithradurga. I had collected all the information, the need for basic facilities and prepared a project of Rs 96 crore and implemented it.”
He further said, “In Dakshina Kannada district, a meeting was convened at Kerekadu, Padupanambur gram panchayat, to resolve various issues in connection to the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm on April 15. Leaders from the Koraga Community, representatives from scheduled tribes and other leaders were present at the meeting. I have distributed cheques to the scheduled tribe beneficiaries and participated in the cultural programme of Koraga Community and stayed over night in Kerekadu Koraga Colony at Baby’s House”.
“I have announced Rs 10 crore special package to provide basic facilities of the Koraga community and for the total development and welfare of the community”.
200 houses in Dakshina Kannada and 200 houses in Udupi District belonging to the Koraga community will be repaired and Rs 1 crore has been sanctioned. The community has demanded to increase the house construction grant from Rs 2 lakh to 3 Lakh, in this regard we will take necessary steps to increase the funds. 88 Koraga families have been given the land rights. To build a Koraga community hall at the Koraga Colony Rs 12 lakh Cheque had been handed over to the concerned authorities. The foundation stone laying ceremony to the Koraga community hall was also done on April 15 at Kerekadu.
Anjaneya also said that whoever had applied for the land rights under the Forest Dwellers Act and their applications were rejected because of incomplete documents, such cases will be investigated and all measures will be taken to give them the land rights.
In the Koraga community, very few people are educated and most of them are deprived of employment which leads to poverty. We will take measures to provide unemployment allowances for two years to those who are unemployed in the Koraga Community. Roads in Padupanambur gram will be repaired. Pure drinking water unit will be provided to the Koraga Community and nearby residents at Kerekadu Koraga Colony at a cost of Rs 6 lakh. Rs 1 crore has been sanctioned to provide basic facilities to the Scheduled tribe colonies in Padupanambur Gram Panchayat limits.
He also said that the people should change their mindset and treat everyone equally. We need to think that we are all human beings and respect others.
Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, ADC Kumar, MLA Moideen Bava and others were also present.