DC visits Malekudiya tribals in Banjarumale, assures better facilities

Belthangady, Jun 6: After three decades, the Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim called on the Malekudiya families residing in the remote village of Banjarumale in Belthangady taluk in a much-needed visit on Thursday.

It was the first time in 32 years that the remote village of Banjarumale that is located in the Charmadi Ghats saw a top district official such as the deputy commissioner visit the hamlet to enquire into the needs of the tribal families dwelling there.

Due to the topography of the area and lack of connecting roads, the hamlet had been neglected by the government and district administration, thereby resulting in minimal facilities to the residing families.

From several years now, the Malekudiya tribals had been denied of their monthly allowance or proper basic facilities such as electricity, a well-equipped government school and connecting roads. It is said that the ones working in the recently-established Anganwadi were not receiving their monthly salary.

During his visit to the hamlet, the deputy commissioner took stock of the situation and assured the tribals of looking into their needs. He assured of providing electricity to every household in the hamlet within a year, and likewise guaranteed the payment of salaries to Anganwadi teachers and workers within a month.

He listened to the woes and needs of the residents, who had been deprived of basic facilities from three decades. Upon seeing the condition of the existing community hall in the hamlet, he directed the zilla panchayat executive engineer to immediately look into its repair.

Mr Ibrahim also inaugurated the DC Katte that had been built by the residents several years ago, but was never inaugurated as no DC had visited the place in 32 years. As many as 43 Malekudiyas reside in the forested area which can be accessed by a single road from the Charmadi Ghat.

Speaking to few mediapersons after interacting with the Malekudiya families, Mr Ibrahim said that the immediate demands of the villagers would be taken care of within three months and steps would be taken to look into the rest of the demands in the shortest time possible. He said that he had directed the concerned officials to respond to the needs of the villagers swiftly.

The deputy commissioner also granted facilities to the hamlet such as provision of meals for children at the Anganwadi, regular visits by a mobile health clinic and ration facilities. He also promised to set up a mobile tower close to the hamlet for better connectivity for the Malekudiya residents.