Mangaluru, Jan 17: Social welfare minister H Anjaneya on Tuesday laid down the foundation for Ambedkar Bhavan near Urwa Store in Mangaluru.
The four storied Ambedkar Bhavan with 9,881 square feet built up area will be coming up in 1.61 acres land reserved for it near the Radio Park in Urwa Store. The bhavan will have space for reception, library, social welfare department office, parking for 71 cars and 35 two-wheelers, main convention hall with a seating capacity of 714 people, guest room, 3 seminar halls and all other infrastructure. A G Associates from Udupi has taken up the work and will be completing within 18 months as per the contract.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that the state government has plans to open residential schools for dalit students in all hoblis across Karnataka.
“Our aim is to empower dalits through protection of their rights. We have already constructed 550 residential schools, where over 1.25 lakh dalit students are pursuing education. In the next academic year, the government will open 200 - 300 new residential schools across the state," Anjaneya said.
The government has been following rules to ensure social justice for scheduled tribe and scheduled caste members, Anjaneya, who also laid foundation for 17 development works worth Rs 36 crore in the city on this occasion, said.
"We have already provided houses to 4 lakh dalit families under Ambedkar housing scheme. Houses will be provided to Koraga community families under Ambedkar Housing scheme and additional government sanction at a cost of Rs 3.5 lakh each," Anjaneya noted and directed the officials of Karnataka Housing Board to complete the construction of Ambedkar Bhavan before December.
District in-charge and minister for forest, environment and ecology B Ramanath Rai said, "There were legal hurdles related to land to construct Ambedkar Bhavan here. Hence, the proposal remained on papers for nearly 25 years. With the approval from the state cabinet, we have taken up the project. Chief minister Siddaramaiah, who is a Ahinda leader, took special interest in the project."
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