Protest against alleged scam in Karnataka Walmiki ST Development Corporation

Members of the Karnataka Scheduled Tribes youth wing of Valmiki State staged a protest in Belagavi on Monday against the alleged scam in the Karnataka State Walmiki ST Development Corporation.

They marched from Kittur Rani Chennamma roundabout chanting slogans against alleged corruption in the company. They went to the deputy commissioner's office and submitted a memorandum demanding the resignation of the directors and officials responsible for the large-scale irregularities.

They alleged that some elected members had collaborated with officials in the Rs 187 crore scam.

The society was set up for the development of ST communities. The money has been misappropriated. But the community leaders and swamis are silent. No one is raising their voice. The community legislators should leave their posts if they cannot support the community, they said.

Mahesh Shigihalli, the head of the organisation, demanded a CBI probe into the scam. He claimed that in all development societies, only 30 per cent of the funds earmarked were being utilised and there was corruption on a grand scale. “The number of beneficiaries has not increased over the years. The common man is finding it very difficult to avail the benefits,” he said.

Leaders like Mallesh Mulagasi, Rama Pujari, Lagamanna Honnagi, Bhimanna Gannikoppa, Manju Talwar were present