'Govt keen to set up Morarji school for Koraga students'

Minister for Social Welfare H Anjaneya said that the government is ready to construct a Morarji Desai Residential School for students belonging to Koraga community at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore. The school will offer free education for students from standard sixth to 10th.

He was speaking at an interaction programme on Sunday, after spending a night at the residence of one of the Koraga community members at Mururu.

Anjaneya said, “All Morarji Desai schools have 10 % seats reserved for children belonging to Koraga community. The government is ready to hike this to 50 % if the community members place a demand. This would help provide good education for Koraga children.”

A few community members said that the students studying in 10th standard were imparted training. However, the money spent towards the training had not been reimbursed so far. The Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) officer said that the union government had not released funds under the Traditional Dwellers Development Programme for the last three years.

The minister directed the officials to send details of the money spent towards training and assured them that the state government would release the funds. The leaders of the community also urged the government to continue integrated development programme for tribals and to earmark separate fund for the development of members belonging to Koraga community.

Visit to Krishna Mutt
Later, the minister had lunch at Sri Krishna Mutt along with other devotees under ‘Sahapankti Bhojana.’

After paying his obeisance to Lord Krishna on the first day of the new year, he also spoke to Pejawar Paryaya seer Sri Viswesha Theertha Swamiji and sought his blessings. The seer served sweets to the minister and lauded his efforts in reaching out to the last man in society.

Speaking with mediapersons, the minister said he did not find any senselessness as alleged by a few fractions of society in practicing pankthi bedha in Sri Krishna Mutt.

The Pejawar seer treats everyone equally and has no discriminatory views, he said and added that he wished to take ‘prasadam’ of Lord Krishna with devotees belonging to all caste and creed. Dharma is nothing but upholding equality and humanity, he said.

He was accompanied by District In-charge Minister Pramodh Madhwaraj and Rajya Sabha member Oscar Fernandes.