Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Wednesday, said that allotment letters to the tribals, who have applied for lands under Forest Right Act, will be issued soon. He said this while addressing the gathering after inaugurating a tribal convention, organised by the Social Welfare and Backward Classes department at the Dasara Exhibition grounds here. The CM said that he has instructed deputy commissioners of respective districts to clear the pending applications of the tribals.

He called upon the tribals to provide education to their children so that they could join the mainstream of the society. “Without education, it is not possible for the communities to attain development and achieve social, economic status in the society.

There is a demand for upgrading the Ashrama Schools to PU colleges, and it will be reviewed. To encourage tribal people to pursue education, the state government has been issuing pension to educated unemployed youths of Koraga and Jenu Kuruba communities,” he said.

On the occasion, cash prizes of Rs 2,000, Rs 2,500, Rs 3,500 and Rs 4,500 were distributed to students, who have completed SSLC, PUC, degree and post-graduation respectively in the academic year 2016-17. Highlighting the Special Component Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), the CM said, the funds under the schemes are allocated on the basis of population, and 24.1% funds have been reserved for SC/ST communities. In 2016-17, of Rs 85 crore under the scheme, Rs 19.542 crore has been spent on SC/STs.

Siddaramaiah said, the state government will increase the quantity of rice being distributed to BPL families under Anna Bhagya from April 1. He issued sanction letters and other benefits to the beneficiaries on the occasion. Siddaramaiah said, the state government has been providing rice, edible oil, ghee, salt, eggs, sugar and nutritious food under various schemes to a select tribals and the scheme has been extended to the tribals in Chikkamagaluru district.

Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya said, forest personnel are creating problems for tribals, who reside inside the forest, and urged Forest Minister B Ramanath Rai, who was present in the event, to take measures to protect the interest of the tribals. Rai assured to look into the issue.

Karnataka State Lamps Cooperative Federation president M Krishnaiah urged the CM and other ministers to provide internal reservation for tribals to achieve political, social and economic equality.

Madegowda, a PhD holder from Soliga community, said, even though he has earned a PhD degree, he is struggling to get jobs in universities and thus the government should provide internal reservation in employment.