Steps initiated to upgrade Banjara, Lambani tandas: Jalaja Naik

As part of a programme of upgrading the tandas inhabited by the people belonging to Banajara/Lambani community into revenue villages, the State government has directed the tahsildars to conduct a survey to determine the geographical jurisdiction of tandas in their respective taluks, said Jalaja Naik, chairperson of the Karnataka State Tanda Development Corporation.

Of the 3,351 Lambani tandas in the State, 113 have already been upgraded into revenue villages. Conferring the revenue village status on tandas was essential to bring the residents to the mainstream, she said at a press conference here on Saturday.

There was a delay in this process as the residents of many tandas didn't have records to establish their ownership on the land they were occupying.

A separate cell has been constituted in the Department of Revenue now to address this problem.

The State government has directed the tahsildars to fix the boundaries of tandas through surveyors, she said.

To empower the unemployed youths of Lambani community, the corporation was offering a one-year diploma course in agriculture to them through the University of Agricultural Sciences at Raichur and Dharwad.

Those who have passed SSLC could enrol themselves for the course.

A similar course would be offered through the University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, from the next academic year, Ms. Naik said.

To conserve and promote the rich culture of Lambani community, a study centre, named after saint Sevalal, had been established at Gulbarga University.

A project to study the dialect of Lambani community had been undertaken by the Kannada University, Hampi. The Karnataka Folklore University had undertaken the work of documentation of oral culture of the community, she said.

Of the 3,351 Lambani tandas in the State, 113 have already been upgraded into revenue villages

Objective of this programme is to bring these communities into the mainstream

Lack of records to show ownership rights with occupants has delayed the process

Separate cell has been formed in Revenue Department to set right the records

One-month training in agriculture being provided to Lambani youths who have passed SSLC

Project launched to study the dialect of Lambani community