Mangaluru : Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim has directed the officials concerned to provide people in Malekudiya colonies with all basic amenities.

Chairing a meet of the district-level supervision committee toward the special development programme of Malekudiya community, at his office on Friday, the DC told the officials to identify Malekudiya colonies in every taluk and to draw plans towards providing basic facilities to them.

He said there are 1,589 malekudiya families in the district and the total population of the community is 7,764. The State government has released Rs 2.27 crores towards the special development scheme for tribal communities.

Accordingly, Rs 25,000 will be provided for the repair of every house and the total amount reserved for the same is Rs 25 lakh towards the repair of 100 houses. Rs 1.17 crore for the development of roads and minor bridges, Rs 20 lakh for drinking water facilities, Rs 40 lakh for the construction of two community halls and Rs 25 lakh towards the financial assistance for 10 beneficiaries under self employment scheme, have been allocated, he said.

The DC lamented that even though a lot of funds were being sanctioned towards the development of the community, the beneficiaries are turning up in a very low rate, hence, leaving the funds underutilised. Proper awareness needs to be created in his regard, he said and told the officials concerned to pay special focus on the youth.

ZP CEO P I Shirvidya, Additional C Sadashiv Prabhu, ITDP Project Coordination Officer Somappa Naik were present among others.