Udupi : District In-charge Minister Jayamala said that she would support the genuine demands of the Billava community by raising the issues with the chief minister.

Speaking after inaugurating the Billava convention on Sunday, the district in-charge minister said that the community has a wonderful legacy rooted in the soil of erstwhile Dakshina Kannada.

She called for unity among Billava community people for noble causes in the society.

She said that she would take the people representatives and the community members in the delegation to discuss the issues with the chief minister. She also lauded the community for their service to society.

MLA Ragupathy Bhat said that Billava community comprises of strugglers who have made a path towards success.

The demands put forth by the community include that they should be identified under Category 1 as against the present category 2A for reservation. The other demands are that interest-free loans should be ensured to the community in occupations like agriculture and self-employment programmes. They demanded that the Brahmashree Naryanguru Yojane should be introduced through which self-help groups of women should be ensured interest-free loans.

The priests who offer prayers at Garodi should be given honorarium and the RTC of the Garodis should be handed over to the respective Garodis were their other demands.