Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal
Bantwal, Aug 18: The district administration has prepared a list of available DC Mannu land across various taluks, but allotment of such land for agricultural purposes will not be possible for the time being, deputy commissioner Darshan H V said on Tuesday.
He was speaking while presiding over a special grievance redressal meeting for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities at the Bantwal Taluk Panchayat meeting hall.
Raising the land issue, Dalit leader Janardhana Bolanthur said members of the SC and ST communities had not been allotted land since 1985.
Although the government had issued orders to provide land, eligible members were still being denied land, he alleged. He further claimed that land was being allotted to those with influence through the NCR process, while SC/ST community members continued to struggle for land.
“Despite several struggles over the issue, there has been no benefit. If this is the situation, how can the community develop? Does the government have a heart?” he asked.
Mohan Chendthimar demanded that land at least be provided under the Akrama-Sakrama scheme.
Responding, deputy commissioner Darshan said there was insufficient government land available for allotment for cultivation. However, the government had directed the administration to provide sites, and the district administration was committed to taking action accordingly.
He also directed the Taluk Panchayat executive officer, tahsildar and chief officer to initiate immediate legal action wherever government land has been encroached upon.
‘Bring Koraga community into mainstream’
Narayana Punchame urged the district administration to give special attention to the Adivasi Koraga community, saying its members should have been specifically invited to the SC/ST grievance meeting to present their concerns.
He called for efforts to bring the community into the mainstream.
Deputy commissioner Darshan said the Koraga community had been invited and that one or two members had attended. He assured that any problems brought to the administration’s notice would be examined and steps taken to resolve them.
‘Provide identity cards, title deeds’
A Koraga community member, Maire of Bolanthur village, sought residential security and title deeds for Koraga families in the area.
Speaking in Tulu, he said community members had to enter forest areas to collect creepers needed to make their traditional handicrafts, but were questioned by Forest Department personnel while doing so. He therefore sought identity cards for community members.
Responding, deputy commissioner Darshan said, “Do you understand Kannada? I understand Tulu, but I cannot speak it. So I will answer in Kannada. I have understood your problem. Special attention will be given to this issue and steps will be taken to resolve it.”
Missing files at Bantwal taluk office
Dalit leader Sesappa Bedrakadu alleged that several files were missing from the Bantwal Taluk Office.
In a written representation to the Deputy Commissioner, he said repeated petitions and protests had failed to resolve the matter. He also alleged delays in disposing of certain important files and urged an inquiry.
Ashrama school building still not cleared
Vishwanath Chendthimar raised the issue of the old Dr B R Ambedkar Ashrama School building at BC Road.
He said the building was in a dilapidated condition and the school had been functioning from a rented premises at Benjanapadavu for seven years, yet the old structure had still not been cleared.
Social welfare officer Vinaya Kumari informed the deputy commissioner that the property had not yet been transferred to the Social Welfare Department. Since the land was classified as ‘poramboke’ land, the change would have to be made at the government level, she said.
Action sought against dangerous trees
Vishwanath Chendthimar also complained that no action had been taken despite requests to remove dangerous trees and branches along roadsides.
A Forest Department official said 26 dangerous trees and branches of 53 trees had already been removed in the taluk.
The deputy commissioner directed the forest official to inspect the dangerous trees at Chendthimar in Kasba village and take necessary action.
Quarry alleged to have damaged homes, roads
Satish Neerapalke alleged that illegal stone quarrying at Neerapalke in Allipada had damaged several houses belonging to SC/ST families.
He said a borewell had dried up and the asphalt on the road had also been damaged. Despite representations to the Mines Department, district administration and tahsildar, no action had been taken, he alleged.
The deputy commissioner directed officials to verify whether the quarry had obtained the required permission and was operating in accordance with regulations.
Land sought for Sarpady crematorium
Chandrahas Baleyur urged the administration to reserve land for a crematorium in Sarpady village, saying residents were currently forced to travel to the distant Bantwal cremation ground for funerals.
The Deputy Commissioner instructed officials to prepare a list of the infrastructure required and submit it. He assured that steps would be taken for approval after the necessary procedures were completed.
Government bus service sought
Mahalinga Naik said repeated proposals had been made to operate a government bus service to Bantwal via Thoranakatte, Kuddpadavu and Vitla, areas with a significant SC/ST population, but the proposal had yet to be implemented.
He also sought legal awareness programmes for SC community members.
Taluk Panchayat executive officer Sachin Kumar said the bus service proposal had also been discussed at a Guarantee Committee meeting.
The deputy commissioner directed officials to take necessary steps regarding legal awareness.
Demand for meeting every three months
Gangadhar Parari thanked Deputy Commissioner Darshan for becoming the first deputy commissioner to visit the SC/ST community and hear its grievances directly.
He said their areas were not receiving grants from the municipal body and that residents were facing drinking water shortages. He sought a Sintex water tank for the area.
He also requested that such grievance meetings be held once every three months to ensure that community issues were regularly reviewed and resolved.
Dalit leaders including Satish Arala, Gopal, Keshava Naik, Vasu Madhwa, Preetham Pallamajalu, Chidananda Peraje and Baby Mairanapade, among others, raised issues relating to residential sites, land, drinking water, cremation grounds, stone quarries and encroachment of government land.
Probationary IAS officer Archit Dongre, tahsildar Manjunath, executive officer Sachin Kumar, chief officer Teertha Prasad K B and officials from various departments in the taluk were present.
Assistant director of the social welfare department Vinaya Kumari welcomed the gathering and proposed the vote of thanks.