DH News Service
BANGALORE, Mar 22

Social Welfare Minister Kagodu Thimmappa today announced that in each Assembly constituency a committee under the chairmanship of local MLA would be constituted to study the condition of hostels provided to students belonging to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, and also recommend suggestions to improve the same.

This announcement followed complaints from several members in the Legislative Assembly today that hostels provided to SC/ST students were in deplorable condition. Mr Thimmappa said his department was ready to build hostels provided land was available. The legislators could help in locating suitable places for building the hostels. He also requested the legislators to send estimates for constructing hostels. "If you send estimates, then approval would be given within just three days and the buildings would be constructed within six months", he assured.

He also said it was the responsibility of zilla panchayats to properly maintain the hostel buildings.

Earlier, Mr H C Basavaraju (BJP) complained that the SC/ST hostel was in pathetic condition in his constituency. The inmates strength has reduced to four from 40 in the last two years as the hostel was like a dungeon. The situation was no different in other hostels, he said and added that the government should order an inquiry into the mismanagement of hostels in the entire state.

At this point, Mr Yogish Bhat (BJP) said though the government assured to provide a new building to house the SC/ST hostel in Mangalore city one-and-half-years ago, so far it has not materialised. The present building, constructed by spending Rs 32 lakh, has to be demolished as it was in poor state, he pointed out.

Replying to him, Mr Thimmappa said as the building was constructed by the City Corporation, the social welfare department has no jurisdiction over it. If suitable land was available, then a new building could be provided, he added. Joining the discussion, Speaker M V Venkatappa too said the SC/ST hostel in Bangarpet was in pitiable condition and a new building has to be provided.