Holenarsipur tahsildar K.R. Srinivas, who visited Bettada Sathenahalli village on Wednesday evening, assured people of the Sudugadu Sidda community of 20 guntas of land to build houses under the Ashraya scheme.
Earlier, the officer had rejected their plea for land citing that the people did not stay at one place, besides blaming them of stealing crops from neighbouring farms, citing a ground report from revenue officials. The Hindu had carried a report on this.
Meets members
Several Dalit and human rights organisations had condemned the officer’s act. On his visit on Wednesday, Mr. Srinivas interacted with the Scheduled Castes people who had put up tents. Local residents of the village raised their voice against any proposal to grant their land to the Sudugadu Sidda community. The officer listened to both sides.
Later, he told The Hindu that 20 guntas of land in the surrounding area where they have put up tents would be allotted. “There are about 13 families,” he said.
Sudugadu Sidola Mahasabha State committee member Rajappa said the officer had assured sites, houses and other basic amenities for the people. “The officer listened to our pleas and responded positively to all our demands. He said the community would get Aadhaar card and other relevant documents,” MR. Rajappa said. The officer also asked the residents to send their children to government school.
