‘Panchayat Nade Koraga Samudayadege’ Draws Flak
Udupi: In a major embarrassment to the district administration and Zilla Panchayat Udupi to promote the community meals ‘Panchayat Nade Koraga Samudayadege’ organized with the Koraga community has drawn flak from the opposition and the people.
The District administration which had organised community meals in the house of Tukra Koraga in Siddhartha Nagar, Alevoor near Manipal has drawn flak from the people belonging to the Koraga community and also from the opposition parties. The officials said to be organising the meals had consumed meals outside the house of Tukra Koraga, they not even entered his house. The programme was organised in Siddhartha Nagar where sports and a programme to give information on various facilities for the community.
ZP President Dinakar Babu, ZP Vice President Sheila K Shetty, MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary, Alevoor GP President Srikanth and other BJP leaders were present in large numbers. They were joined by DC Priyanka Mary Francis and other district officials.
People expressed their ire over the programme as the people from the Koraga Community were not allowed to sit with the dignitaries. Tukra Koraga said that he was asked by Alevoor Gram Panchayat to organize food for 300 people but he declined saying that he could not afford it and since food was ordered from the caterers.
Some grama Panchayat members raised the question of the participation of BJP members in large members saying that the community meal has led to the politicization of the event where the Congress members were neglected.
The locals have said that the elected representatives returned without entering the house of Tukra Koraga, they had food by sitting outside.
Earlier speaking at a public function DC Priyanka Mary Francis said that Udupi is a forerunner in the human index report. “There have, however, been atrocities on Dalits. There is a need to eradicate derogatory practices like untouchability in society. Houses are being provided for Koragas through ITDP. Koragas should work under the MGNREGS to earn Rs 22,000 annually. Lack of education and knowledge caused atrocities and harassment of the Koragas. The Koraga community members should be cautious and get educated, she added
Army recruitment will be held at Vijayapura in the month of May and SSLC, PUC passed Koraga youth can apply with the BEO or at the DDPI office. The aspirants will be given one-month training in April.
