Utilise benefits of government schemes, DC tells SC, STs

Deputy Commissioner Dr R Vishal called upon people, belonging to Scheduled Castes and tribal communities, to avail maximum benefits of various schemes initiated for their development.

Speaking at an SC/ST grievance meeting convened at his office on Wednesday, he said there is a shortage of beneficiaries for the schemes like Special Unit Scheme for the development of SC/ST communities and Girjjana  Upayojane. Hence, the beneficiaries should come forward to avail the benefits being extended under the scheme, he stated.
He said Revenue Department has a provision to disburse Rs 20,000 to people after the death of the head of families. However, there is a shortage of beneficiaries for this scheme in Kundapur taluk, he added.

The deputy commissioner said officers should take signatures and photographs of people, belonging to SC/ST communities, after the implementation of the development works.

He said one stall has been earmarked for SC/ST communities in the flower auction centre in Udupi.  Dr Vishal also directed the officers to issue pamphlets carrying the messages of various development schemes initiated by the government for SC/ST communities and distribute them among the community men.

Ambedkar statue

He said a new statue of Dr B R Ambedkar will be installed on his office premises in the first week of April. The renovation work of Ambedkar Bhavan  is underway in Udupi, he stated.

The deputy commissioner instructed the CMC commissioner keep an on the quality of the work. The repair work of Ambedkar Bhavan is on, he said and directed the Social Welfare Department officer to invite applications for Ambedkar Award to be given in the publication category.

He called upon SC/ST community members to make use of the taxi facilities provided through the Tourism Department and also utilise the benefits of programmes like Bala Sanjeevini, Vajpayee Health Scheme and other insurance schemes whose premium amount is minimal. He also told them to pay loan instalments regularly. 

He directed the officials to complete the work of the crematorium at Ucchila immediately.
The deputy commissioner also said a one-day programme will be held for officials to make create awareness about DC Manna land and Dalit Atrocity Act among them.

He directed the Kundapur taluk panchayat executive officer to auction shops in the commercial complex built at taluk panchayat immediately by  announcing the reservation.
Dr Vishal directed the officials to look into the allegation that Dalit are not offered facilities to construct houses at Belapu.

He  asked the DDPI to check whether children from Dalit communities are attending classes at Kotebagilu area in Tallur.

Unhealthy development

Superintendent of Police Annamalai said misuse of Dalit Atrocity Act is not justifiable.The police are acting according to law and the intentional and silly acts of registering cases against police officials under the Act is an unhealthy development, he added.

Zilla Panchayat CEO Priyanka Mary Francis said SC/ST community people should make use of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), wherein the personal works like construction of wells, percolations ponds can be taken up. They should take the job cards at gram panchayats and avail the benefit. The S/ST community members shared their grievances on the occasion.