Chamarajanagar: Karnataka Scheduled Tribes Welfare Minister T. Raghumurthy has announced a special public service campaign to address long-pending issues faced by tribal communities living in haadis (tribal settlements) in Yelandur taluk and areas surrounding Biligirirangana Betta.
During a visit to the region, the minister met residents of Banglepodu, Hasapodu and Erakalagadde Podu and heard their grievances concerning housing, electricity, drinking water and food-kit distribution.
Raghumurthy said several houses built 40 to 50 years ago were in a dilapidated condition. He directed officials to complete the ongoing survey and take time-bound action to provide houses to eligible beneficiaries under the CM Adivasi Gruha Bhagya scheme.
He also instructed the Public Works Department to take steps to construct a bridge connecting the Biligirirangana Betta main road with Manjugudi Podu and Kalyani Podu. Officials were asked to coordinate with CESC authorities to resolve electricity-related issues in the two settlements.
Responding to complaints about delayed food-kit distribution, the minister said technical issues would be resolved within four to five days and pending kits distributed. He directed revenue officials to deliver essential documents, including Aadhaar and ration cards, land-title documents and income certificates, to eligible beneficiaries at their doorsteps.
After reviewing drinking water problems, Raghumurthy asked officials to overcome forest-related hurdles and ensure water supply under the Jal Jeevan Mission. He also ordered immediate drinking water supply through tankers and directed officials to clear pending wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
The minister visited the Adavi centre, which displays and sells forest produce, and inspected products such as shikakai, amla powder and jamun squash.
At a meeting with teachers from tribal residential Ashrama schools in Kollegala, Raghumurthy stressed that the quality of education should not be compromised. He later inspected the Konanakere Ashrama school and urged parents to support their children’s education and economic empowerment.
He also announced that the Tribal Development Corporation would become fully operational soon.
Residents welcomed the minister’s visit, saying his interaction with them had raised hopes of resolving long-standing problems. Officials from the Scheduled Tribes Welfare Department, the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation and other departments, along with tribal leaders, attended the programme.
