The Hindu 13.10.2010
SC/ST beneficiaries in Kodagu to get sites soon
Staff Correspondent
Taking stock:Deputy Commissioner K.H. Ashwatha Narayana Gowda presiding over the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Committee meeting in Madikeri on Tuesday.
Madikeri: Deputy Commissioner K.H. Ashwatha Narayana Gowda said on Tuesday that steps would be taken to distribute sites and title deeds to SC/ST beneficiaries in the district soon.
He was presiding over a meeting of the District Vigilance and Monitoring Committee concerning SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities), according to a press release.
Many SCs and STs were living in Ashokapura, Ukkuda, Chamundeshwarinagar and Mangaladevinagar in the city, Mr. Gowda said, and directed the revenue officials to conduct a survey and submit a report to him.
Somwarpet tahsildar Devaraj said that a survey had been completed (when he was the Madikeri tahsildar) and a report given to the district administration some time ago.
Mr. Gowda said that the issue would be looked into and the point whether land could be handed over to the Madikeri City Municipal Council to distribute it to the beneficiaries would be examined.
He told the taluk social welfare officers to visit at least five panchayats in a month to ascertain whether funds meant for SCs and STs were being spent.
Mr. Gowda said that requests were being received from SCs and STs to reserve land for graveyards in the district.
Their requests would be considered if there was government land, he said.
He appealed to the urban local bodies and gram panchayats to provide financial help to construct Ambedkar bhavans in the three taluk centres in the district.
Superintendent of Police Manjunath Annigeri suspected that funds meant for the welfare of SCs and STs were being diverted for other purposes. Welfare activities, education, economic development and other-related activities should be taken up with the funds available, Mr. Annigeri said.
Cases were being registered against those perpetrating atrocities against SCs and STs in the district, he said.
District Social Welfare Officer Rajesh Gowda gave details regarding compensation disbursed to SCs and STs in Kodagu. Members of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Committee Raju, Veerabhadraiah and Prakash spoke.
