Karnataka government keen on bringing Maoists to mainstream: Hebbalkar

The State government has offered a liberal rehabilitation package to bring Maoists to the mainstream, Minister for Women and Child Development Laxmi Hebbalkar said in Udupi on Saturday.

The State government has offered a liberal rehabilitation package to bring Maoists to the mainstream, Minister for Women and Child Development Laxmi Hebbalkar said in Udupi on Saturday.

Talking to reporters after the quarterly Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) review committee meeting, Ms. Hebbalkar, who is Udupi district in-charge, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently announced new rehabilitation package for bringing Maoists to the mainstream. The government is committed to address the concerns of Malekudiya tribal people and others living in the forest.

When pointed out that the concerns of the forest dwellers are not just improvement of basic facilities but also about harassment by police, forest, and revenue officials, Ms. Hebbalkar said: “This is a sensitive issue. I will comment only after knowing about the issue,” she said.

Ms. Hebbalkar said extraction of sand and laterite stones in the district has been affected following issuance of notices to Mines and Geology Department from the Lokayukta. There was a detailed discussion on the issue during the KDP meeting wherein the five Udupi district MLAs expressed their concern over non-availability of sand and laterite stone. “I will have a separate meeting with officials,” she said.

The meeting saw discussion on sea erosion. “Dumping boulders on the sea shore is not a solution. A permanent solution has to be worked out,” she said. A delegation from the region will go to Delhi to seek assistance of the Central government to address the issue.

The Minister said she will prevail upon the government for releasing ₹235 crore for repair of roads, buildings, and foot bridges damaged during monsoon. Funds under the State and National Disaster Relief Funds have been released to compensate for loss of lives and crops due to rains. Staff required for district hospital, which is upgraded to 250-bedded hospital, will be posted. District administration is working towards freeing Udupi from single-use plastic, she said.

Ms. Hebbalkar said the State government has sanctioned two hostels for backward classes to Udupi district and they will be opened shortly. Directions were given to officials to speed up the Varahi Drinking Water project, as the Forest Department has given clearance for work that passes through 9-km of forest, she said.