Government to set up Bhovi development board:Acharya

Speaking after inaugurating a conference organised by Dakshina Kannada and Udupi District units of Karnataka Bhovi (Vaddar) Welfare Association, to commemorate the decennial celebrations and public awareness programme at Narayanguru Sabhabhavan at Bannanje here on Sunday, he said the government had allotted Rs 5 crore as the initial fund for the development programmes to be taken up under the Board for the current fiscal year.

The government has also decided to induct a MLA from Bhovi community to the ministry in the next cabinet expansion. The development issues concerning the Bhovi community were a matter of debate for the 30 years. However, the previous governments in the state failed to introduce welfare programmes for the community, he added. He said the hassles involved in the process of issuing the caste certificates to Bhovi community under ST category in this part of the region will be solved shortly. Deputy Commissioners of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district will be instructed to simplify the process.

Dr Acharya said in Udupi district, Karkala and Kaup have many number of earth workers belonging to Bhovi community. Measures will be taken to improve their living standards, he said. Former Minister Jayaprakash Hegde said the district administration should take up welfare programmes in association with Zilla Panchayat, Taluk Panchayat and Gram Panchayat to improve the living conditions of Bhovi community members.