Lack of development work at Maoist affected villages disappoints tribals

'About 30 pc of work worth ` 1.5 crore has been completed, while 55 pc of selected works are yet to commence'

The members of tribal community expressed dissatisfaction over the district administration for failing to implement the developmental work as promised by the district administration and the police department at a public contact programme convened to address the grievances of people from Maoist affected villages, at Kolli in Belthangady taluk a year ago.

The issue was raised at the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes monthly grievance meet at the Superintendent of Police office on Sunday. Complaining that there was no visible progress in the work specially inside the Kudureremukh National Park limits, Dalita Hakkugala Horata Samiti Convenor Shekhar Laila said the roads leading to tribal colonies within the KNP limits continue to remain in a pathetic state. He flayed the district administration for failing to hold talks with the forest department and arriving at a consensus on developing roads in KPN limits.

In reply, Superintendent of Police Abhishek Goyal too expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of the work progress. “In the meeting convened at Kolli, it was decided to initiate developmental work in Maoist infested areas at a cost of Rs five crore. An action plan of Rs 4.5 crore was prepared and sent to the government. About 30 per cent of the work worth Rs 1.5 crore has been completed, while 55 per cent of the selected works are yet to commence,” he said.

Jobs to 21 tribals

On the initiative of providing job opportunities to 21 tribal youth in home guards, the SP said, a proposal was sent to the deputy commissioner and he has agreed in principle. “I have requested the district administration to set aside approximately Rs 19 lakh in the development work fund for giving salary to these youth. The fund could be handed over to the home guards department,” he said.

Shekhar also complained about the difficulty faced by 43 tribal families living in Banjaru Male in Charmady, where they are made to seek permission from the Yenepoya Estate to exit or enter into the main road. The estate gate must be removed and the road leading to the colony should be developed, he demanded. In response, Goyal said the matter is related to the revenue department. However, he said he can make a move if the tribal families living in Banjaru Male file a written complaint on the issue.

When the status of chargesheet filed on Vittal Malekudiya case was raised, the SP said the police have filed the chargesheet and it is now pending before the home department.

PF fraud

Former ZP president Somanath Naik alleged that a Mandya based company, Kaveri Enterprises of cheating 17 scheduled caste members who were hired as contract employees in the Puttur government hospital. The company, though, has deducted PF amount from their salary every month for a period of one year, it has not distributed the PF money after the contract period expired. The SP asked the Puttur circle inspector to issue a notice to the company and also write to the district health officer.