Daijiworld Media Network - Mysuru (SP)

Mysuru, Feb 25: Kodagu - Mysuru MP Pratap Simha, has instructed the officials not to extend facilities under government schemes to tribals who have converted into other religions from Hinduism. He gave this instruction to tribal welfare department officials. He was speaking at the district development coordination and monitoring committee meeting held here on Wednesday February 24.

The MP noted that tribal people concentrations are found in 155 villages spread over H D Kote, Hunsur, Nanjangud and Periyapatna taluks of the district. "When extending facilities to tribals, the officials should be a little cautious. They have to identify people moving around with crosses hanging from their necks. If they are drawing government facilities, they should be stopped," he explained. He said that as per a recent statement made by union minister, Ravishankar Prasad at the parliament, those who change their religion are not eligible for reservation and other benefits.

Simha wanted to know whether rations are being properly sanctioned and issued to the tribals in these areas, and wondered why are so many of them embracing Christianity or Islam if the government facilities were made available to all the tribals properly. "Why would they claim that they have got everything from Lord Jesus?" he questioned. He also asked the officials to pay attention to colonies where other categories of people live too. He said that development works under National Rural Employment Guarantee and such other schemes are going on in colonies inhabited by scheduled castes and tribes. However, he observed that such works have not been undertaken in colonies where other people live. He wanted the officials to ensure that under the 15th finance commission, finances are equitably distributed and there is no imbalance.