Govt. thinking of internal reservation for Koraga community, says Anjaneya

He was speaking at a public function held as part of his ‘grama vastavya’ programme

H. Anjaneya beating a traditional drum at a public function at Mururu village in Udupi district on Saturday.

H. Anjaneya, Social Welfare Minister, said on Saturday that the government was thinking of providing internal reservation to the Koraga and Jenukuruba communities in order to provide better education and jobs to these two most tribal communities among the Scheduled Tribes.

He was speaking at a public function held as part of his “grama vastavya” programme organized by the district administration and the Department of Social Welfare here.

Mr. Anjaneya said there was a demand to increase the money provided for the construction of a house for tribal communities from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 4.5 lakh. He would bring this matter to the notice of the Chief Minister so that the latter can decide on it.

The government would also provide approach roads to all Koraga colonies. An action plan would be formulated for this purpose. An approach road would be constructed for the Koraga Colony here also.

The government has already provided Rs. 83 crore for the development of tribal communities in the district. Already an amount of Rs. 50 crore had been spent. The pending works would be taken up with remaining amount of Rs. 33 crore.

The population of the Koraga community was declining in Udupi district. Hence a committee would be formed to look into this matter. The community would be provided with better medical facilities and they should take advantage of it. Action would be provided to hospitals found inflating the medical bills. A convention of tribal communities of seven districts would be held at either Bengaluru of Mysuru shortly to discuss their needs and necessities.

Scholarships would be given to students of tribal communities who passed SSLC, PUC, degree and post-graduation. The Koraga community members were being provided nutritious food during the monsoon.

“Untouchability against the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is still being practised in some parts. Even some SC/ST elected representatives in gram panchayats are not treated properly,” Mr. Anjaneya said.

Pramod Madhwaraj, Minister of State of Fisheries, Youth Services and Sports, demanded a special package for the development of Koraga community.

Gopal Poojary, Byndoor MLA, Annappa Shetty, President of Kalthodu Gram Panchayat, and others were present.

Earlier, Mr. Anjaneya was provided a traditional welcome by the members of the Koraga community. They put a cap made of arecanut leaves on his head and gave him two sticks with jingles.