Mangalore, February 14: Members of Dalit community staged a protest under the banner of Communist Party of India (M) demanding fulfillment of their demands on Monday.
They urged the government to earmark 24 per cent of funds in the state budget for the development of Dalit habitations in proportion to their population in the state.
Addressing the protesters Sunil Kumar Bajal, Mangalore city Secretary of the CPI (M) said that the atrocities on Dalits have increased extensively after BS Yeddyurappa led BJP government came into power in the state.
Flaying the state government for failing to protect the interest of Dalits, Bajal said, the Chief Minister is sanctioning crores of grants to temples and mutts who 'preserve and promote' casteism and untouchability systems in the society.
“The plight of the Dalits remains pathetic due to meager fund allocation and the diversion of the allotted funds,” he charged.
Various grants meant for development of SCs/STs should be cleared under a single window concept, he said.
Other demands include to setting up of Special Component Plan (SCP) in proportion to the population of Dalits and to raise the grants to these SCPs, provision of 7 per cent reservation for STs, 1 lakh rupees for inter caste and Devadasi marriages, establishment of sufficient hostels for Dalit students at district, taluk and hobli levels and to provide Rs 2000 as stipend for those students etc.
Lingappa Nanthur, Krishnppa Salian, Vasudeva, Yamuna Pacchanady, LT Suvarna and others were present.
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