Demanding devpt corpn, Billavas will organise mass convention in city on Jan 29

Mangaluru: A meet of various Billava community organisations leaders held at Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha Temple on Tuesday, resolved to hold a mass convention in the coastal city on January 29 next year.
Rejecting the government’s decision of setting up a Sri Narayana Guru Development Cell for the development of 26 castes, including Billava Ediga and others from the Backward Classes 2A category, Billava leaders demanded that the government should form a development corporation for the community.
Kudroli temple treasurer R Padmaraj told reporters that the Billava community has been demanding the formation of a development corporation, not a cell.
‘Reserve Rs500cr for community’
“The government should announce the setting up of a development corporation for the community, and reserve at least Rs 500 crore for it. We will hold a mass rally of over one lakh people from the community, to put pressure on the government for our demand. Though the government has announced the setting up of a cell, the order has no mention about the corpus fund to be reserved for it. If the government has concern for the community, it should set up a development corporation. Development cell is nothing but a wasteful exercise. Though an officer will be appointed for the cell, the person will not have powers to take decisions. The officer will have to seek permission from the secretary to the government, to take any decision. However, development corporations have the freedom to make decisions, and it will function as an autonomous body,” he said.
Lashing out at the government for dilly-dallying on the community’s demand for the setting up of a development corporation, Padmaraj said that the government lacks political willpower.
Narayana Guru Vichara Vedike state president Satyajit Surathkal said that the Billava community, with 26 castes comprising a population of nearly 45 lakh people, have been ignored by the government.
‘Will send strong message to govt’
“The mega convention to be held in the city will send a strong message to the government. Community members from various parts of the state will participate in it,” he said.
Billava Mahamandala president Rajashekhara Kotian said that the government’s plans to set up a development cell is betrayal of the community. A series of protests will be held, until the government fulfils the demand of the community, he added.