Daijiworld Media Network — Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Aug 22: S E Basavaraj, chairman, Karnataka State Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation (KSMVSTDC), told media persons at a press meet that Udupi is the 29th district and Karwar is the 30th district in his statewide tour programme.
“Of the 11,77,361 population of Udupi district, 52, 897 fall under Scheduled Tribes. In Udupi constituency, the number is 14,166, while in Kaup constituency it is 9,764. 12,091 in Karkala constituency, 4,922 in Kundapur constituency and 11,954 in Byndoor constituency. Marati Nayka, Gonad, Koraga, and Malekudiya are the sub-castes reported from Udupi district. The commission has increased the amount of loan for self-employment from Rs 1 lac to Rs 10 lac with a subsidy of Rs 30,000,” he added.
“Under Ganaga Kalyana Yojana, the corporation has given priority for tube wells, open wells and lifting irrigation projects. The corporation has not received loan applications from ST women under the micro-credit scheme since last year. Nearly 10-20 governmental ST SHGs are working in the state. It decided to provide a loan of Rs 10, 000 per head. They have no office of their own in every district so work is going to be delayed. The KSMVSTDC has cleared Rs 62 crore of loans under Sala Manna Scheme. The ST commission has not reached the target in land purchasing for ST community beneficiaries and is at 50 percent in SEP, 75 percent in ISP and less progression in micro-credit scheme,” said Basavaraj.
“Right now we have Rs 1 crore of funds and NSTFDC has assured to give Rs 2 crore. The corporation plans to introduce a new scheme for scheduled tribe widows and disabled called ‘Asare’ and the scheme will be launched on the day of ‘Valmiki Jayanti’ in 224 constituencies, simultaneously. As per the scheme, two beneficiaries from two categories will get Rs 25,000 in every constituency, out of which Rs 10, 000 will be a subsidy amount on 5 percent interest. The construction of an ST community hall, rehabilitation and permanent job status for Koraga community workers are the crucial demands from the Udupi ST community members. The state government has been allotted Rs 120 crore in the 2015-16 financial year with an additional Rs 55 crore,” he added.
Basavaraju said that the corporation works for the betterment of ST community by responding to their interests. He also said that there is need to train women in self-employment instead of providing loans. A new website for the corporation was launched in Udupi, a first among 30 districts.
DC R Vishal, CEO Kanagavalli and social welfare department officer were present.