Social Welfare Minister A Narayanaswamy, on Monday, alleged that dalits are being discriminated against by officials, including the deputy commissioner, in Ramanagar district.
He has sought the intervention of the State government.
A hostel for dalit students was to be built at Ramanagar in Kanakapura taluk. Some 58 acres of land was transferred by the Minor Irrigation department to the Social Welfare department for the project.
When E Krishnappa asked about the delay in executing the project, Narayanaswamy claimed that as the land is located next to the town municipal office, the officials have not changed the land title in favour of the Social Welfare department.
“The deputy commissioner has the right to initiate the process of changing the title. Despite repeated requests, nothing has been done. This is nothing but discrimination. I do not hesitate to tell the truth. I want the government to take action,” Narayanaswamy said.
He also alleged that some legislators had discriminated against the touchables and untouchables while utilising funds meant for SCs and STs within their constituencies.
The minister’s words triggered an uproar in the House. Members of the Opposition parties demanded that the government take immediate action over the matter. “The minister himself has expressed helplessness in initiating action,” they said.
“This is unbecoming of officials in the district.” V Somanna, the leader of the ruling party in the Council, promised that the government will take appropriate action by July 25.
The department will instal biometric machines in hostels to store information on the movement of students in and out of the building, he said. He also revealed that 210 dalit student hostels in the State are being upgraded.
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