SEAT SHARING: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy driving an autorickshaw at a function organised to present autorickshaws to beneficiaries in Bangalore on Wednesday. Beside him is Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa. — Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P .

Bangalore: There is a common complaint that many social welfare programmes and innovative schemes the State Government announces for improving the lot of Dalits and other backward classes do not reach eligible beneficiaries because of middlemen.

A complaint in this regard was made to Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy at a function organised by the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Development Corporation for handing over the keys of autorickshaws to 250 Dalits here on Wednesday.

A large fleet of new LPG autorickshaws had been lined up at Vidhana Soudha for presentation by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to Dalits, while the owners-to-be stood near the vehicles to receive letters from him.

About 60 educated Dalit men and women trained to take jobs in BPOs in Bangalore had also gathered to receive the placement orders from Ministers.

Social Welfare Minister Balachandra Jarkiholi, accompanied by R.B. Agawane, Principal Secretary (Social Welfare) and managing director of the corporation M.K. Baladevakrishna were upset when a group of Dalits complained about the involvement of middlemen in selecting the beneficiaries. But, they were advised to observe restraint and a request was made that their views would be heard later and problems solved.

Memorandum

Soon after Mr. Kumaraswamy inaugurated the function by driving an autorickshaw, the aggrieved Dalits presented a memorandum to him demanding action against some officials. The Dalits alleged that that they had distributed 10 vehicles each to the agents, through whom the 250 beneficiaries had been selected. They also expressed doubts whether all the beneficiaries were really Dalits.

Mr. Kumaraswamy and Mr. Jarkiholi assured them that an inquiry would be conducted and those found guilty would be dealt with seriously.

Earlier, addressing the gathering, Mr. Kumaraswamy said his Government had been helping Dalits, Devadasi families and disabled persons to lead a respectable life by providing them financial support.

Village stays

Referring to the criticism that his village visits and the Janata Darshans programme were gimmicks, he said Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa had made provision in the budget for these programmes and they would be continued.

The Chief Minister made a mention of Sarala, a young Dalit from Belgaum, who had been adjudged best in the 75-day training in English grammar, spoken English with American accent, sending messages through e-mail and the etiquette observed during telephone conversations with the clientele.

She had got a job in a company at ITPL, Whitefield, with a salary of Rs.15,000. The Chief Minister said that Sarala, who lost her father a few months ago, had to look after her mother and two brothers.

Mr. Jarkiholi and Mr. Yediyurappa distributed placement orders to 60 men and women selected out of 600 who appeared for the interview.

S.P. Thirunavukkarasu, Managing Director, Aditya Call Centre Private Limited, which conducted the training, said the others would also get jobs gradually.

Mr. Baladevakrishna welcomed the guests.

Training

Mr. Thirunavukkarasu said Rs. 12,000 had been spent for training each candidate.

He said that out of 10,000 applicants, 2,000 people were interviewed and 600 were enrolled for training which was held at four centres in the State.

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