Udupi: The government is thinking of providing internal reservation to the Koraga and Jenukuruba communities with an intention to provide better education and other facilities to these two remote tribal communities under provisions for the Scheduled Tribes, said H Anjaneya, Minister for Social Welfare, Government of Karnataka.
Speaking during the Grama Vastavya programme organised by the district administration and the Department of Social Welfare at Mururu of Udupi district, he said that there was a demand to increase the money provided for the construction of houses for tribal communities from Rs 2 Lakh to Rs 4.5 Lakh. He would bring this to the notice of the chief minister, he assured.
The government has already provided Rs 83 Crore for the development of tribal communities in Udupi district and Rs 53 Crore spent for the development. The government would also provide roads to all Koraga colonies, he added.
The Koraga population was declining in Udupi district due to various problems faced by the community. A committee would be formed to provide better medical facilities to the community, said Anjaneya.
A convention of tribal communities of seven districts would be held at Mysuru or Bangaluru to discuss their needs. Scholarships would be given to students of tribal communities who have passed SSLC, PUC, Degree and post graduation. Meanwhile, the Koraga community members are being provided with nutritious food during the season of monsoon, he added.
Anjaneya said that untouchability against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is still in practice in some parts of the state. The elected representatives from these communities in grama panchayaths are not treated properly compared to other communities even now, he lamented.
Pramod Madhwaraj, District In-charge Minister and Minister of Sports, Fisheries and Youth Empowerment said that indeed the Koraga community marginally declining in Udupi district needed special packages. “We should give top priority for the development of Koraga Community”, he stated.
Gopal Poojary, MLA of Byndoor and President of Udupi District Congress Committee and other dignitaries were present.
