NGO's want special Budget allocation for tribals

Mysore, Jul 13: Non-Governmental Organistions (NGOs) working for the welfare of Tribal Communities in this district, coming under the Integrated Tribal Development Programme (ITDP) in the state, have urged the Karnataka Government to make special allocation in the budget to improve the conditions of tribals.

NGOs such as Nagarahole Tribal Rights Restoration Committee of Hunsur and Kodagu and Vanavasi Girijana Mahila Sangha have appealed to Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa to earmark Rs 314 crore under a special programme this year besides allocating funds under other heads to improve the condition of nearly 3.67 lakh tribals in the state.

The State Budget is expected to be presented in the Assembly on July 17.

Development Through Education (DEED) Convenor Srikanth told UNI the districts covered under the programme include Chikmagalur, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Mysore, Chamarajanagara, Ramanagara Bangalore Rural, Mandya, Hassan, Shimoga and Uttara Kannada.

A delegation of NGO representatives would meet the Chief Minister during his vist to the city today and apprise him of the need to make special allocation for the welfare of Tribal Community.

The NOGs urged the state to form a central coordination committee at the Chief Minister's Office to oversee the special programme.

The NOGs have sought allocation of Rs 82 crore for Primary and Secondary Education Sector, Rs 32 crore for strengthening Pre-Primary Education, Rs 100 crore for Agriculture and Food Security of Tribal People and Rs 100 crore for implementing the provisions of the Panchayath (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act 1966.

They also appealed for an allocation of Rs 1,442 crore for the next five years for tribal welfare.

UNI