Pics: Sphoorty Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RS/CN)
Mangalore, Feb 18: C S Dwarakanath, chairman of backward classes’ state commission, visited various places in the city and heard grievances of fishermen, backward class community members, and students in backward class hostels on Wednesday February 17.
He was on a visit to the district to receive grievances from members of backward communities.
Dwarakanath also conducted a meeting with fishermen leaders, backward community leaders, and Ahinda leaders. Prior to his meeting, he visited the fish market at Urva Store the dry fish market near State Bank, and witnessed the problems faced by the fisherwomen selling fish.
The fisherwomen complained of the lack of infrastructure and other health hazards due to the absence of a proper cleaning system. Most of the fisherwomen complained about the Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation’s manner of selling fish in modern outlets, and negligence of the traditional market.
Dwarakanath also visited Sasihitlu area, where he met traditional toddy-tappers and fishermen. The toddy-tappers appealed to the chairman to help them gain more benefits from the government and sought recognition for their profession as a traditional one.
They claimed that the jaggery prepared from toddy has medicinal values and it should be promoted by the government by encouraging toddy-tappers. Members of the weaver community at Sashihitlu appealed for pension service.
Dwarakanath also visited backward community student hostels in the city and rural areas of the district. During his four-day visit, he will conduct meetings with the officers related to the departments that fall under the backward classes’ commission.
Kudubi community members of Swamilapadav near Permude requested him to add them in the scheduled tribe category as they lack benefits from the government though they are equivalent to scheduled tribes.
Dwarakanath informed the media that he will write to the state government about the problems of the backward community members.
Members of the commission B S Guruswamy, M S Helavar, Mahantesh D Pateel, M S Hatthigatti, and Yogananda Kumar were also present.