Date:12/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/12/stories/2006041209700400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Banjara Development Authority to be set up

Staff Reporter

Government will respond to community's demands, promises Chief Minister

BANGALORE: The Government will respond to the pending demands of the Lambani (Banjara) community, including the conversion of Lambani tandas into revenue villages, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has said.

The assurance came in a speech by Mr. Kumaraswamy, which was read out in his absence by Minister for Health and family Welfare R. Ashok, at a State-level seminar organised by the Karnataka Pradesh Banjara Seva Sangha and the State Banjara Federation.

Mr. Kumaraswamy was scheduled to inaugurate the seminar at 9 a.m. but he could not reach Bangalore on time from Chitradurga. Mr. Kumaraswamy said the Government had realised the need to establish a Banjara Development Authority to strengthen the community on the economic, political and educational fronts. In the light of the increasing international demand for traditional Banjara attire and artefacts, the Government would take measures to establish marketing outlets for them, he said.

Responding to the demands of the sangha and the federation, Mr. Ashok said the community would be given representation in the Legislative Council.

B.T. Lalitha Naik, a leader of the Banjara community and former Minister, was present.