Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB) 

Udupi, Dec 30: MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary speaking at a press conference at his office here, on Thursday December 29 said that Kota would like to draw the attention of the state social welfare minister Anjaneya to attend to the problems faced by the Koragas living in Kalthodu village, during his short stay there.

Minister Anjaneya will camp at Koraga Colony at Kalthodu village near Byndoor, Udupi district for a day on Saturday December 31.

The social welfare department had released a package of Rs 10 crore towards various projects from 2008-2013. The fund was to be distributed as follows: Rs 2.11 crore to facilitate basic infrastructure for the Koraga community, Rs 1.76 crore towards self-employment projects, Rs 7 lac towards development of government land, Rs 4.82 crore for digging individual wells.

He also added that on April 14, Anjaneya camped at the house of Baby Koraga at Kerekadu near Kinnigoli, Mangaluru. He announced a budget, but not much construction work has happened in these eight months. Not a single tender has been called, so far.

Kota Srinivas stressed that minister Anjaneya has to take up construction work before six month, from the date of announcement his ‘grama vasthavya’ at Kalthodu village.

There are 2,600 Koraga families and their population is 11,133. Kota also alleged that no fund has been released towards health expenditure since three years. The department must provide permanent health scheme for the Koragas for their lifetime and also facilitate extra tuition for students.

He also demanded a special housing project for constructing houses for the Koragas. Thousands of Koraga families are on the waiting list to obtain RTC on their land.

Commenting on the previous ‘grama vasthavya’ at Padu Panambur, Kota Srinivas made it clear that this time the camp should not be held for namesake.

According to recent data, Udupi taluk has received 3,412 applications, out of which 179 have been disposed. Kundapur taluk has received 11,819 applications, out of which 332 have been disposed and Karkala has received 6,742 applications, out of whcih 240 have been disposed so far.

Kota Srinivas has given 15 days to finalize distribution of RTC at Kundapur. If this does not happen within the stipulated time, he will visit the assistant commissioner's office on Saturday December 31 morning and then decide on the next step.