Minister announces Rs 52-crore package for Siddi tribe

Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya on Friday announced a Rs 52.53-crore package for the development of the Siddi tribe in the district.

He was addressing a press conference at Majire Wada in Haliyal taluk, where he celebrated the New Year with residents of the hamlet. A tribal ashram school would be opened here so as to provide education to children in the hamlet.

Children in class I to V here would be adopted. They would be given quality education along with affectionate care.  Navodaya model residential schools would be started from the academic year 2017-18 at Haliyal and Yellapur, the minister said. Admissions would be in the ratio of 75 per cent for Siddi children and 25 per cent for children of other communities. A grant of Rs 24 crore had been sanctioned for this purpose, the minister said. The minister announced various other sops for the Siddi community.

He went on a walk in the hamlet visiting houses, listening to the grievances of the residents. The minister directed officials to redress them on the spot. The minister had visited the Soliga tribal hamlet in Chamarajanagar district to celebrate the New Year 2015 with them.