22 Dalit families to be shifted to Idgah village: GP chief
About 22 Dalit families, who live in huts at Machagondana Halli, will be shifted to Idgah village, said Sattihalli Gram Panchayat President Shafiya.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Shafiya said that the gram panchayat has submitted a proposal to provide homes for homeless including 22 Dalit families of Machagondana Halli at Idgah village. However, due to the apathy of Revenue officials, the gram panchayat could not build houses for Dalits, she said clarifying that there was no lack of political will with regard to the upliftment of Dalits of the village.
Responding to the report on the woes of Dalits of Machagondana Halli published in Deccan Herald on January 8, Shafiya said that Dalit families will have to be shifted from Machagondana Halli since the land is required for development purposes. “We are not the enemies of Dalits. We have already distributed ration cards, voter IDs, water and other facilities. However, the decision to reserve the land for development purpose was taken unanimously by the villagers. Following this, proposal of providing alternative facilities to Dalits was also submitted. However, the proposal has not been looked upon by the Revenue officials so far,” she said.
She assured that the issue will be discussed with the tahsildar. Meanwhile, residents of Machagondana Halli Dalit colony warned that they would organise protest in front of the gram panchayat office, if their demands were not met within 8 days. They demand title deed for the land, where they live at present. Similarly, they also demand infrastructure development in their colony.
