Bantwal: The issue of land allotment to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities dominated a special grievance redressal meeting held in Bantwal, with community representatives raising concerns over the availability of agricultural land, residential sites, government land encroachments and delays in resolving long-pending issues.
Deputy Commissioner Darshan H V, who presided over the meeting at the Bantwal Taluk Panchayat meeting hall on Tuesday, said the district administration had prepared a list of available DC Mannu land across various taluks. However, he clarified that allotment of such land for agricultural purposes would not be possible for the time being because of the limited availability of government land.
The meeting provided representatives of SC and ST communities an opportunity to directly present their concerns before senior district officials.
Land allotment remains major concern
Dalit leader Janardhana Bolanthur raised the issue of land allotment, claiming that members of SC and ST communities had not received land since 1985.
He said that although the government had issued orders to provide land to eligible beneficiaries, many members of the communities continued to remain without land.
Bolanthur also alleged that influential individuals were benefiting from the NCR process while members of SC and ST communities were still struggling to secure land.
“Despite several struggles over the issue, there has been no benefit. If this is the situation, how can the community develop?” he asked, questioning the government’s response to the long-standing demand.
Mohan Chendthimar demanded that land at least be provided to eligible beneficiaries under the Akrama-Sakrama scheme.
Government land shortage cited
Responding to the concerns, Deputy Commissioner Darshan said there was insufficient government land available for allotment for cultivation.
However, he said the government had directed the administration to provide sites and assured the gathering that the district administration was committed to taking necessary action.
The Deputy Commissioner also instructed the Taluk Panchayat executive officer, tahsildar and chief officer to initiate immediate legal action wherever government land has been encroached upon.
The direction assumes significance amid complaints that government land is being occupied illegally while eligible members of disadvantaged communities continue to seek land for residential and livelihood purposes.
Focus on Koraga community
The meeting also highlighted issues concerning the Adivasi Koraga community.
Narayana Punchame urged the district administration to give special attention to the community and said Koraga representatives should have been specifically invited to the SC/ST grievance meeting to present their concerns.
He called for measures to help bring the community into the mainstream and ensure that its specific challenges receive adequate administrative attention.
Deputy Commissioner Darshan said the Koraga community had been invited to the meeting and that one or two members had attended.
He assured the gathering that problems brought to the administration’s notice would be examined and appropriate steps would be taken to resolve them.
Identity cards and title deeds sought
A Koraga community member, Maire from Bolanthur village, sought residential security and title deeds for Koraga families in the area.
Speaking in Tulu, he explained that community members were required to enter forest areas to collect creepers used in making their traditional handicrafts. He said they were sometimes questioned by Forest Department personnel while collecting the material.
He therefore requested identity cards for community members to help establish their identity and avoid difficulties while pursuing their traditional livelihood.
Deputy Commissioner Darshan responded that he understood Tulu but could not speak the language. He said he had understood the concerns and assured the community that special attention would be given to the issue.
Missing files alleged at taluk office
Dalit leader Sesappa Bedrakadu raised another administrative concern, alleging that several files were missing from the Bantwal Taluk Office.
In a written representation submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Bedrakadu claimed that repeated petitions and protests had failed to resolve the issue.
He also alleged delays in disposing of certain important files and called for an inquiry into the matter.
The complaint added to the list of administrative issues raised during the grievance meeting, with community representatives seeking greater accountability and quicker disposal of pending matters.
Ashrama school building remains unused
The condition of the old Dr B R Ambedkar Ashrama School building at BC Road was also raised during the meeting.
Vishwanath Chendthimar said the building was in a dilapidated condition and that the school had been functioning from rented premises at Benjanapadavu for the past seven years.
Despite the prolonged shift, he said the old structure had not yet been cleared.
Social Welfare Officer Vinaya Kumari informed the Deputy Commissioner that the property had not yet been transferred to the Social Welfare Department.
She said the land was classified as ‘poramboke’ land and that the required change would have to be made at the government level.
Action sought against dangerous trees
Vishwanath Chendthimar also raised concerns over dangerous trees and branches along roadsides.
He said repeated requests for their removal had not resulted in action.
A Forest Department official informed the meeting that 26 dangerous trees and branches of 53 trees had already been removed across the taluk.
The Deputy Commissioner directed the forest official to inspect dangerous trees at Chendthimar in Kasba village and take necessary action.
Quarrying allegations raised
Another major concern related to alleged illegal stone quarrying at Neerapalke in Allipada.
Satish Neerapalke alleged that quarrying had damaged several houses belonging to SC/ST families. He also claimed that a borewell had dried up and that the asphalt surface of a road had been damaged.
According to him, representations had already been submitted to the Mines Department, district administration and tahsildar, but no action had been taken.
Deputy Commissioner Darshan directed officials to verify whether the quarry had obtained the required permissions and whether its operations complied with regulations.
Land sought for Sarpady crematorium
Chandrahas Baleyur requested that land be reserved for a crematorium in Sarpady village.
He said residents were currently required to travel to the distant Bantwal crematorium to conduct funerals, creating difficulties for local families.
The Deputy Commissioner instructed officials to prepare a list of the infrastructure required for the proposed crematorium and submit it.
He assured the gathering that steps would be taken to seek approval after completing the necessary procedures.
Government bus service demanded
Transport connectivity was another issue raised at the meeting.
Mahalinga Naik said repeated proposals had been submitted for operating a government bus service to Bantwal through Thoranakatte, Kuddpadavu and Vitla.
He pointed out that the areas have a significant SC/ST population and sought implementation of the proposed service.
Naik also requested legal awareness programmes for members of the SC community.
Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Sachin Kumar said the bus service proposal had also been discussed during a Guarantee Committee meeting.
The Deputy Commissioner directed officials to take necessary steps regarding the legal awareness programmes.
Demand for quarterly grievance meetings
Gangadhar Parari thanked Deputy Commissioner Darshan for becoming the first deputy commissioner to visit the SC/ST community and hear its grievances directly.
He said some areas were not receiving grants from the municipal body and that residents were also facing drinking water shortages.
He sought a Sintex water tank to address the water requirement.
Parari also requested that similar grievance meetings be conducted once every three months so that community issues could be reviewed regularly and pending matters followed up.
Officials directed to follow up
Several other community representatives, including Satish Arala, Gopal, Keshava Naik, Vasu Madhwa, Preetham Pallamajalu, Chidananda Peraje and Baby Mairanapade, raised concerns relating to residential sites, land, drinking water, cremation grounds, stone quarrying and government land encroachments.
Probationary IAS officer Archit Dongre, tahsildar Manjunath, Executive Officer Sachin Kumar, Chief Officer Teertha Prasad K B and officials from various departments were present.
Assistant Director of the Social Welfare Department Vinaya Kumari welcomed the gathering and proposed the vote of thanks.
The meeting brought together a wide range of long-standing community concerns before the district administration. The assurances given by the Deputy Commissioner and directions issued to officials are expected to provide a framework for follow-up action on land, infrastructure, welfare and administrative issues affecting SC and ST communities in Bantwal.