Date:06/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/06/stories/2006040613810400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Corruption affecting schemes for Dalits'

Special Correspondent

Will give priority to eliminating graft in department: Jarkiholi

BANGALORE: Minister for Social Welfare Balachandra Jarkiholi on Wednesday cited rampant corruption in his department as the major reason for the poor implementation of schemes meant for the welfare of the Dalits.

Speaking at the 99th birthday celebrations of the former Deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram organised by the Social Welfare Department at the Vidhana Soudha, Mr. Jarkiholi said a large number of people belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other backward classes remained poor because of corruption in the department. Middlemen grabbed nearly 60 per cent of the funds earmarked for welfare schemes. He would accord priority to eliminating corruption in the department and direct the officials to come out with plans to take the programmes directly to the needy.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said the Government was committed to providing internal reservation to sub-castes within Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. A building in memory of Jagjivan Ram would be built in Bangalore, he said.

He called upon the officials to show their commitment while implementing programmes formulated for the poor. The Social Welfare Department received Rs. 2,000 crore in funds from the Centre and the State Government every year, he said.

Deputy Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa said a statue of Jagjivan Ram would be erected on the Vidhana Soudha garden shortly. The State budget had set aside adequate resources for the welfare of the Dalits. Funds for the Ganga Kalyan Scheme had been hiked from Rs. 45 crore in 2005-06 to Rs. 95 crore, in 2006-07, he said.

Mr. Kumaraswamy and Mr. Yediyurappa presented the Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram awards to six persons for their contribution in various fields. They were: P. Srinivas of Kolar (folk art), B. Dasappa of Bangalore (Social Service), Samata P. Deshmane of Bangalore (education), Sarjoo Katkar of Belgaum (journalism), Laxman of Bangalore (literature) and B.H. Malagi (art).

Ministers Govind Karjol, B. Nagaraj Shetty, Ramachandra Gowda, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly N. Dharam Singh and legislators were present.