Mangalore : The CPI(M) organized a Dharna in front of DC Office on March 5, Monday demanding the state government to provide the budget for Dalits according to their population.

Addressing the protestors, B Madhava, secretary, CPI (M), DK district committee in his inaugural address said that there is large number of Dalit population and the State government is not implementing sufficient budget for the welfare of dalits. Hence he urged the state government to earmark 24 percent of budget for the dalits since their population is 24 percent in the state.

He also said that the governments have been paying only lip sympathy to Dalits. Funds earmarked in budgets are not being spent properly. They are allowed to lapse or are diverted. There is no legislation to monitor spending and prevent diversion of funds.

The state government must introduce the schemes for the benefit of the dalits. There are very poor people in dalits and the government must not give BPL card to them but must issue ‘Anthyodaya Card’ for their benefit, he added.

CPI(M) secretary Sunil Kumar Bajal and Dalitha Hakkugala Samithi secretary Lingappa Nanthoor were present.