Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/SP)

Udupi, Jul 18: The state Lokayukta has served notice on Integrated Tribal Project Officer for failing to convert land reserved by the district administration for being converted into sites and distributed to Koraga families. The land had been earmarked for the purpose in Bommabarabettu village in the year 2010.

President of Human Rights Protection Foundation, Ravindranath Shanbhag, addressing a press meet here on Tuesday July 17, stated that the Lokayukta has commenced investigation into this scandal.

"On the Independence Day during 2011, title deeds were distributed to 29 families of which 23 were Koragas. But the sites had not been marked and handed over. Although the issue was constantly followed up, the officials did not take steps to earmark the sites or level the land which was a rugged terrain with ups and downs with lot of stones. Even though money had been released for the purpose twice, the work was not attended to, and protest was also held. As per the suggestion of the deputy commissioner, Koragas had raised loan of two lac rupees and got the land levelled to the extent possible, by hiring backhoe for the purpose. After the Koraga families approached our foundation for help, legal struggle has been planned and high court will be approached shortly," Shanbhag explained.

He said that the state government had announced a ten crore rupees package to this district for achieving overall progress of Koragas and to provide basic facilities in their colonies, and a special grant of Rs 50 lac was also sanctioned. Even now, borders of sites in the above colony have not been marked, road has not been built, and the hillock has been dug unscientifically to a depth of about 30 feet. As protective wall has not been built, landslide has happened on account of rain. The spot has become dangerous and no one is able to build houses there, he explained.

Shanbhag said that after the Lokayukta notice, the officials contacted his organization and promised to build protective wall and earmark the sites and advised to file application for houses. Kondadi Tribal Colony Site Owners Association convener, Zubaida, Mahalaxmi and others also told the media persons that the work now undertaken at the land sanctioned to them has not been proper and they are at a loss to plan house construction there.