MCC to build 700 houses for dalits

Detailing about various plans and programmes that have been drafted for the benefit of dalits, Minister said 100 houses will be built by the MCC in the city limits and another 600 houses will be built under the Urban Housing Scheme. Earlier the houses for dalits were built at a cost of Rs 75,000 each, while the amount has been doubled from this year as each of the 100 houses will be built at a cost of Rs 1.5 lakh, he said.

He was speaking after unveiling the statue of Dr B R Ambedkar which has been built in the Town Hall premises, on Sunday. “MCC has utilised a fund of Rs 8.20 crore for the development of alits during last year. It has earmarked Rs 1.17 crore for providing scholarships to alit students. Several reservation posts in various government departments are vacant due to the lack of qualified candidates. Hence, alit students must opt to pursue higher education,” he stressed.

Title deed to Dalits

Assuring to provide title deeds to dalit families he said that many families belonging to SC/ST communities, residing in various parts of Mangalore are deprived of basic facilities as the land they reside in belongs to private individuals. Steps will be taken to acquire such land and distribute title deeds to dalits. Those who do not have title deeds can approach the MCC Commissioner. The MCC must acquire the land even if the land belongs to powerful individuals, he insisted.

Retaining wall Speaking about the construction of retaining wall in the sea erosion affected areas, Palemar said a tender for Rs 223 crore has been called and a company has participated in the tender process.

“As waiting for other companies to take part in the tender would lead to the delay and lapse of the allotted fund, the contract would be probably given to the company that has already taken part in the tender process. The work will start in September,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, MCC Commissioner Dr K N Vijay Prakash announced the MCC’s four new projects for the progress of dalits. It includes special residential scheme for civic workers worth Rs 1.20 crore, opening of special training centre for SC/ST students,
opening the professional training centre for dalits and converting various dalit colonies as model colonies.

Long wait

The 15-year old demand for installation of Ambedkar statue in the city has been finally met. The proposal for installing the statue was submitted in the year 2004-05 when Purandaradas Kuloor was the Mayor. The 7.5 feet tall statue has been carved at a cost of Rs 7.5 lakh. Another Rs 3.5 lakh has been spent on carving the alter and the garden surrounding it.

Architect of Ambedkar statue B C Shivakumar, the architect of the statue, Gopalaswami Karkala, and Thamate artiste R Srinivas from Kolar were felicitated on the occasion.