Mangaluru: District-level grievance meeting for SC/ST communities postponed due to DC’s absence

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug. 6, 2026: The district-level grievance redressal meeting for members of the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), scheduled to be held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Thursday, was postponed after community leaders objected to the absence of the Deputy Commissioner (DC).

The meeting, chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner Raju K., began as planned, but community representatives insisted that the Deputy Commissioner should personally preside over the proceedings. Officials informed them that the DC was accompanying the district in-charge minister on a visit to rain-affected areas and was therefore unable to attend. Unconvinced, the leaders refused to continue the meeting and demanded that it be rescheduled.

The grievance meeting was being held after a gap of nearly one-and-a-half years, with SC/ST community members travelling from Sullia, Puttur and Belthangady taluks to present their concerns. Community leaders, including Krishnananda, Raghu Ekkaru, Mukesh, Shekhar Layila and Supreetha Krishnapura, said several important issues required direct discussion with the Deputy Commissioner and urged the administration to hold the meeting on another date.

Responding to their demand, Additional Deputy Commissioner Raju K. said the matter had been conveyed to the Deputy Commissioner. He later announced that the meeting would be rescheduled for August 20, following which Thursday’s meeting was officially cancelled.