mangalore today

DK DC looks into land and regulation malpractices


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Oct 2, 2014:  DK DC  A B Ibrahim informed an order has been issued on July 13 this year, preventing the handing over of DC manna land for other purposes than distributing to Dalits. He was Chairing a meeting of SC/ST leaders at his office on Sept 30, the DC said that while utilising DC manna land for other purposes, same area of land should be reserved elsewhere.

dc press meet 2The DC’s response came in the wake of complaints placed by Dalit leaders that a number of DC manna lands have been given to educational institutions and alternative lands have not been reserved.

  Unorthodox practices  :   Dalit leaders complained that the officials of Mangalore City Corporation seek the letter with a note from corporators.  When the letter is not submitted along with the application, the application is neither received nor sanctioned and in this way the MCC officials are harassing Dalits. This is against the rules and there is no such official order too, the leaders said and added that situation is such that while submitting an application to MCC, one has to go in search for the corporator. They alleged that the MCC officials have become the puppets in the hands of elected representatives. The DC directed the Urban Cell President Takat Rao to seek a written explanation from the officials concerned for following the unofficial practice.

 K R Rao Bhavan :  The issue over the construction of Kudmul Ranga Rao Bhavan went into prolonged discussion. The Dalit leaders alleged that though the government has sanctioned an amount of Rs one crore towards the construction of the Bhavan, the work has not been initiated. A building built in the name of Kudmul Ranga Rao, around 10 years ago in Kodikal, is in dilapidated condition. Also, the condition of Ambedkar Commercial complex near PVS circle is poorly maintained and the sole purpose of the building has failed as non-Dalits have been provided the commercial stalls on rental basis, even though it is meant for SC/STs, the leaders said.  The DC directed the social welfare officer to take measure to see to it that only the people belonging to SC/ST are given the shops on rental basis at the Ambedkar commercial complex.

  Stop  ‘Harijana’ label use  :  The leaders raised objection on using the word ‘Harijana’ in government documents including RTCs. The DC said that as per the order dated October 10, 2004 issued by the Government of Karnataka, the words Harijana and the like, should not be used.  On the distribution of RTCs to Dalits in urban areas, the DC directed the MCC official to distribute the pending RTCs to the beneficiaries within November 1.

The Dalit leaders urged the DC to take measures towards the initiation of various development programmes in Banjarmale such as building of anganwadi, polling booth etc.  The non-availability of RTCs to Dalits in Mulki, harassment to education loan aspirants by Ambedkar Abhivruddhi Nigama staff, Ration Card renewal vows etc were also put forth at the meeting.

ADC Sadashiv Prabhu and DCP (Law and Order) Vishnuvardhan were present. The meet provided a lively activity  with a good number present.